CHIANG RAI, Thailand, July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The vision of the northern Thai city of Chiang Rai to become a destination for tea and coffee took a significant leap forward with the successful hosting of the “Global Coffee and Tea Association Forum 2025: Shaping the Future Together” from 17 to 20 July. Showcasing the city’s MICE potential, this landmark event featured a combination of insightful presentation and discussions, dynamic exhibitions, and immersive site visits. It brought together 211 delegates consisting of 165 Thais and 46 overseas participants from 11 territories – Australia, Cambodia, Mainland China, Colombia, Denmark, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam.

During the forum, participating industry professionals engaged in knowledge exchange, networking, and business development. Participants also engaged directly with local plantations, processing facilities, and tasting experiences, brewing substantial opportunities to drive growth across Chiang Rai’s tea and coffee sectors.

Building on the momentum of two international Tea and Coffee symposia in 2023 and 2024, the forum was supported by strong multi-institutional collaboration among the Tea and Coffee Institute of Mae Fah Luang University, Singha Park Chiang Rai Co., Ltd., and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).

According to Mr. Puripan Bunnag, Acting President of TCEB, Chiang Rai has proven its capacity as a secondary city capable of hosting major business events. He stated, “MICE is serving as a powerful driver for the local economy. The success of the ‘Global Coffee and Tea Association Forum 2025’ not only reinforced the city’s ambition to become a destination for quality tea and coffee on domestic and regional levels but also supported Chiang Rai’s goal of emerging as a center for national and international tea and coffee festival events.”

Convention Highlights Global Industry Dialogue

The forum commenced with a convention at Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort, bringing together experts and entrepreneurs from China, Japan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, Denmark, Australia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Key topics explored a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from prevalent challenges and product innovation to sustainability, carbon footprint, blending and flavoring, and wellness-oriented consumption. Sessions were complemented by showcases of product development, processing research, and production solutions.

Exhibition Showcases Regional Excellence and Innovation

Following the convention, “Chiang Rai Brewtopia Green Season” exhibition at Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, held from July 18 to 20, was inaugurated by Mr. Rutisak Rangsri, Vice Governor of Chiang Rai; Mr. Puripan Bunnag, Acting President of TCEB; and Asst. Prof. Dr. Piyaporn Chueamchaitrakun, Head of the Tea and Coffee Institute at Mae Fah Luang University. The exhibition featured around 40 coffee and tea entrepreneurs providing overseas delegates with direct access to uniquely blended teas and coffees crafted by ethnic hill tribes, emerging local talents, and artisanal creators. Complemented by workshops, business talks, and product showcases, the event highlighted Chiang Rai’s growing influence and innovation within the industry.

Site Visits Underscore Chiang Rai’s Production Strengths

To highlight the region’s agricultural strengths, the forum featured “A Cup to Village” site visits to renowned tea and coffee plantations. Choui Fong Tea in Mae Chan demonstrated organic hill-terrace cultivation, production process and tastings of its award-winning Oolong tea. Wang Put Tan Tea in Doi Mae Salong showcased community transformation through high-quality Oolong and Black Tea, with the latter winning the Grand Gold Prize at the 2021 World Green Tea Contest. The site provided insights into tea production and tasting experiences. Doi Chang Coffee in Mae Suai illustrated the success of the Arabica crop introduced under the 1969 Royal Project to replace slash-and-burn farming. Now a recognized brand with a unique aroma, forest coexistence, academic support, exports to 10+ countries, and GI certification from the European Union. The visit ended with a cupping session by the Queen of Coffee.

The successful hosting of the Global Coffee and Tea Association Forum 2025 marked another significant chapter of Chiang Rai in MICE’s development. The city made its first-ever entry into ICCA’s global city rankings in 2024 after hosting two ICCA-qualified conferences. It also hosted the Spring Meeting of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) in February 2025 and will be welcoming the PATA Destination Marketing Forum this coming November.

“As part of TCEB’s strategy to diversify Thailand’s event destinations, we are actively promoting cities with unique strengths to boost their competitiveness on the global MICE stage. Chiang Rai, with its rich tea and coffee heritage, exemplifies how we attract international events and strengthen the city’s position on the global MICE map,” added Mr. Puripan.

For more information, contact TCEB at: pr@tceb.or.th

About TCEB

A LEADING AGENCY AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAILAND’S MICE INDUSTRY

Established in 2004, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB – the government agency under the supervision of the Prime Minister – has been assigned a role to promote, support and develop business events industry – corporate meetings, incentive trips, conventions, exhibitions, mega events and world festivals. Serving as a strategic partner, TCEB helps deliver creative ideas and solutions to bring success and fulfill the requirements of business events. The overarching goal is to drive Thailand to become a global MICE and mega events destination that can drive the country’s strategic industries and national economy.

The only private housing area directly adjacent to an LRT station, offering seamless connectivity across Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau

HONG KONG, July 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — With phased construction of the East Line of Macau’s Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system commencing this month and full operation scheduled for the second half of 2029, market attention is increasingly focused on the development potential of districts along the route. The Oriental Pearl district, being the only established residential area located directly adjacent to an LRT station on the line, is set to be the primary beneficiary with strong prospects for capital appreciation. It is expected to attract significant interest from both local and international buyers and investors.

One of the upcoming residential projects sale in the district is The Residencia, which located between the A1 and B exits of the Light Rail East Line ES2 station. To optimise the living environment, a 600-meter skyway is being constructed, expected to be completed as early as June 2027, connecting the surrounding streets and light rail stations for residents’ convenience.

LRT East Line to enhance connectivity, boosting property price outlook

Located in the northern part of the Macau Peninsula, the Oriental Pearl district boasts a prime location. Is it the closest private residential area to the Macau Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge—just a 4-minute drive— offering direct and convenient access to both Hong Kong and Zhuhai. The district is also in close proximity to several key transport hubs, including the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal (approximately 5 minutes by car), Macau International Airport, and Taipa Ferry Terminal (both approximately 15 minutes by car). Popular destinations such as Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, the Ruins of St. Paul’s, and the Cotai Strip are also within 15 to 18 minutes’ drive, enjoying a well-connected air, land, and sea transportation network.

Once the LRT East Line is operational, the transport advantages of the Oriental Pearl district will be further elevated. Residents will benefit from direct, one-stop access from the Border Gate station, and easy connections to New Urban Zones A, Cotai Strip, and the Lotus Border. The improved connectivity will not only enhance daily convenience for residents but also boost the rental appeal and value retention of properties in the area, offering investors more secure medium- to long-term returns.

Mark Wong, Senior Director of Valuation and Advisory Services at JLL in Macau, said: “Across the entire East Line, the Oriental Pearl district stands out as the only developed private residential area directly adjacent to a station, positioning it to benefit from the value uplift associated with the LRT network. This will not only support local property prices but also stimulate greater activity in the rental market. We anticipate growing interest from capital across Mainland China, Hong Kong and overseas.”

Economic recovery and policy tailwinds driving market momentum

In addition to the benefits brought by the LRT East Line, the Oriental Pearl district is also set to gain from a broader economic recovery. In June 2025, Macau’s gaming revenue exceeded MOP 21 billion, marking a 19% year-on-year increase and the highest since the pandemic. As the backbone of the local economy, the recovery of the gaming sector is expected to fuel a broader recovery in tourism, retail, and employment, further stimulating housing demand and injecting renewed momentum into the property market.

Meanwhile, residential property prices in Macau are now at relatively low levels—over 30% below their 2018 peak—presenting a compelling entry point for buyers and investors. Given the Macanese Pataca’s indirect peg to the US Dollar, Macau is regarded as a US dollar-based asset zone, offering high asset value stability, making it highly appealing to buyers from mainland China, Hong Kong, and overseas. Historically, Hong Kong buyers accounted for up to 50% of overseas purchasers between 2012 and 2013. Although this figure dropped below 5% in recent years due to market cooling measures, the government’s full withdrawal of such policies last year is expected to attract oversea buyers back to the Macau market in the long term.

Limited supply supports price, with Oriental Pearl district showing strong resilience

Macau has long grappled with limited land resources for private residential development. Although the land reclamation in New Urban Zone A has increased supply, much of the area is earmarked for public housing, leaving extremely limited space for private residential projects. Combined with the lack of large-scale development sites within the existing urban fabric, private housing supply is expected to remain tight, supporting property values over the medium to long term.

Wong added: “The Oriental Pearl district is a mid- to high-end residential neighbourhood with established community amenities. In a market where private housing remains scarce, the district offers strong value preservation potential. Even during recent market downturns, property prices in the area remained relatively stable, with milder declines than elsewhere, showcasing strong resilience and defensive qualities. Currently, mid- to high-end homes in the district are priced at approximately MOP 7,000 to 9,000 per sq ft, significantly lower than comparable properties in Hong Kong, making them an attractive option for prospective buyers.”

“In the first half of 2025, rental levels for private residential properties in Macau stabilised, with a modest upward trend emerging. We anticipate that rental growth for the full year could reach up to 5%. The Oriental Pearl district has long maintained a stable and active rental market, underpinned by strong and consistent tenant demand. As the interest rate is falling and the capital is finding ways for reinvestments, properties in the district are well-positioned to deliver stable and appealing rental returns for investors,” he added.

About JLL

For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500^® company with annual revenue of $23.4 billion and operations in over 80 countries around the world, our more than 112,000 employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAY^SM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.

Contact: Yvonne Liu                            Jimmy Chan
Phone: +852 2846 5264                      +852 3103 0102
Email: Yvonne.Liu@jll.com                  Jimmy.Chan@cdrconsultancy.com