That just strikes me as sad. What group of people would decide those are the best two places to hold conferences?
What does that say about them and the people they are hoping to attend via those city attractions?
I think it says something about some people's (nationalities?) associations. Us europeans are quite used to going to Amsterdam for conferences. Last one I attended there was OSiM - Open Source in Mobile.
(Thailand I've never been to, but in my local country Pattaya is referred to as the biggest tourist centre and lists lots of
family activites)