www.tceb.or.th

Following with the Thai Prime Minister’s stimulus plan for China, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), today, is planning to seize more Chinese exhibitions and trade show though the annually major Road Show in three key cities embracing Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing. It is aimed at showcasing Thailand’s unique attraction and great value as an Exhibition destination, to the Chinese’s business community. This TCEB’s first integrated China road show leads a team of key exhibition leader from both state and private agencies in order to increase market penetration for Chinese exhibition market through a newly package – Extra Night , Extra Smile - offering extensively to all Chinese exhibitors and visitors.

Since the official visit to China of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, scheduled on the past June 24 -27, the PM immediately stated “Thailand has develop a 3-year economic stimulus plan to move forward and China is one of the key vital strategic partner to Thailand in working together to cope with the global financial crisis.” He, in addition, pledged full support to boost Thai-Chinese ties and China’s relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Mrs. Supawan Teerarat, Exhibition Director and Acting President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) states that “According to the new aggressive government’s policy, TCEB is now focusing more on the exhibition as the essential business platform to be accomplished. TCEB and Thai Government want to extend similar hands-on support the international trade show to other relevant Chinese exhibition professional considering Thailand by conducting the annual road show program in China with new attractive approach.”

TCEB’s major China Road Show program, in 2009, will be roaming into three strategic cities compelling Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing. It is conducted in conjunction with Thailand’s Department of Export Promotion (DEP), Thailand Exhibition Association (TEA), and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) as well as the key leader exhibition players in Thailand. Together, these parties aim to inform China’s business community of the potential opportunity and real value of holding business event in Thailand. Approximately 500 stakeholders involved in China’s exhibition industry are expected to attend this.

According to Mr. XU Yanbo, Deputy Director-General of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) “prior to this collaboration, CCPIT and TCEB have worked together to boost up the two countries’ economy though the exhibition platform. China and Thailand have, indeed, established close relationship through the bilateral trade estimated at 41 billion USD with 19% increased comparing to 2007. The Thailand export value in 2008 was around 25.6 billion USD. While the total value between China and ASEAN countries are growth 14% or estimated at 231 billion USD. Furthermore, the China-ASEAN FTA will be completed in 2010 which lead China, Thailand and other ASEAN countries getting closer in terms of business.

This is shown in the commitment of Thai Prime Minister in accordance that Thailand and China are determined to strengthen bilateral economic and trade cooperation aimed at enhancing the bilateral trade volume between the two countries achieved 50 billion USD, two way investment to total 6.5 billion USD as well as the number of tourists to reach four million by 2010.

“At this present, visitors from China heads the list in terms of the number of arrivals to Thailand. In 2008, the Office of Tourism Development, Tourism Authority of Thailand reported that the number of arrival of Chinese visitors reached 818,752 visitors and tends to be increased year-by-year. In addition, China today is playing essential roles in shaping Asia’s tomorrow. TCEB, thus, employ new package to attract more on Chinese exhibitors and visitors” added Supawan.

In an effort to boost up Chinese visitor to Thailand, the bureau’s road show, thus, provide the horizontal range of support starting from venue, trade association, organizer, and exhibitors to visitors in order to secure the establishment of trade and investment in Thailand. TCEB’s incentive schemes is unleashed under the master “Bangkok…the Exhibition City of ASEAN” campaign for all types of business visitors’ profile namely organizers, group visitors and individual trade visitors.

The newly “Extra Night, Extra Smile” is initiated to magnetise and tap more on Singaporean exhibitor & visitor aimed at encouraging a quick decision to visit Thailand as well as extend the lengths of stay in Thailand to those who visit the country during July 2009 to September 2010. The package is consisted of two high-value offers. The Extra Night will provide availability of the “Free Forth Night” deal for delegates’ events longer than 3 nights. In addition, the Extra Smile package which offers more privileges including; MICE Fast Track, Special Rate for airport transfer, Half-day City Tour and special discount from leading department store and other entertainment places,  is also equipped.

 “In 2008, approximately 10,000 business travelers and delegates from China came to Thailand which is regarded Thailand as the remarkable marketplace. The number, as well, has grown considerably each year. I am completely confident that TCEB’s incentive scheme will attract more Chinese exhibitors and visitors as well as boost up business ties among two countries,” adds Deputy Director-General of CCPIT

Concluding, Mrs. Supawan Teerarat, with a strong support from both government and private agencies, TCEB is confident that the initiative will secure the success of the show, add real value to exhibitions clients and attracted to exhibitors & visitors who are considering Thailand again. TCEB is now estimating that the business event industry in Thailand will bring in US$1.24 billion this year and attract half a million participants.