Raising the bar for incentives

Asian Trails has successfully delivered its largest-ever group event, welcoming more than 6,500 delegates to Bangkok over two weeks in August 2026.

Arriving in seven staggered groups, the incentive programme required meticulous planning, close coordination and a huge team effort.

The trip was organised for employees and families of a Mumbai-based multinational company. Highlights included a city tour, a river cruise and gala meals, along with visits to popular attractions such as an aquarium, wax museum and wildlife park.

The programme was originally planned for Dubai but was relocated to Thailand at short notice, giving the Asian Trails team just months to prepare.

The journey began in March 2026, when the Indian market team prepared the initial proposal and began coordinating inspection trips and preparations with the client and suppliers. Led by Stanley Rozario, Senior Head of Business Development – Indian Subcontinent; Sajith Krishnan, Regional Manager – Indian Subcontinent, Middle East and Asia; Kaustubh Pradhan, Manager – Inbound India Markets; and Tanushree Bhoir, Senior Tour Supervisor, the team worked closely with partners across Thailand to ensure every element was ready for the first arrivals in August.

Detailed organisation was essential. The entire Indian Market team in Thailand was dedicated to ensuring the event ran smoothly, with all 11 team members involved in the on-the-ground operations. They were supported by Indian Market Guides Bas and Romlee, who helped coordinate logistical planning, as well as members of the operations team who assisted with activity arrangements.

Asian Trails’ management team also played an active role, with CEO Laurent Kuenzle, Managing Director Delphine Guillon and Deputy Managing Director Andy Connor personally supporting key moments, including guest arrivals, gala dinners and welcoming VIPs.

One of the biggest challenges was ensuring that such a demanding operation remained manageable for the team. Responsibilities were carefully divided so that every member had a clearly defined role. Some focused exclusively on check-ins, others on food and beverage, while additional team members were ready to step in wherever support was needed. This structure allowed the team to maintain high standards throughout the two-week programme while managing the intensity of the operation.

Food was another major consideration. Indian cuisine and dietary requirements were an important part of the guest experience, requiring extensive preparation with the participating hotels. The team worked closely with hotel F&B departments to curate menus, while a team of Indian chefs was brought in to support the hotel kitchen teams and ensure the food met the expectations of the guests.

The team was able to draw on considerable experience managing large-scale groups. Asian Trails has previously handled several groups of more than 1,000 guests, including a group of over 2,500 guests at one time. This latest programme builds on that experience, while setting a new benchmark for the team.

Senior Head of Business Development – Indian Subcontinent, Stanley Rozario said: “The client’s response provided a fitting conclusion to the programme, with the organisers saying they would recommend Asian Trails to their agents in India for future groups.

“Handling over 6,500 delegates across seven groups was a significant undertaking, and the success of the programme was ultimately down to the people behind it. It was a fantastic achievement for the Asian Trails Thailand team who came together to raise the bar in incentive management.”

To enquire about arranging an incentive in Thailand, contact our MICE specialists at Asian Trails Thailand – MICE.