Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau or TCEB disclosed that Thailand’s share in the international meetings and convention market is set to continue its growth. From October 2011 to February 2012, Thailand has won bids to host 8 prestigious regional and global events; together these are expected to generate revenues of at least Baht 900 million. In addition, TCEB has joined hands with the Thai International Convention Association (TICA) to organize a nationwide roadshow in order to stimulate the domestic MICE market. Meetings will be held with industry associations and key government agencies to guide their efforts to attract overseas events to Thailand. 

Mr. Akapol Sorasuchart, TCEB President, revealed that “Thailand’s international meetings market shows a rapid return to growth following last year’s financial crises in Europe and USA, and the impact of the floods in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. The international meetings market last year generated earnings of 22.5 billion baht, with 270,000 visitors; this represented 38% of the overall MICE market, valued at 58 billion baht.  We expect that the market will grow by 5% in 2012, with 290,000 visitors and 25 billion baht in earnings.” 

Mr. Akapol continued, “We have some good news for Thailand’s MICE industry this year – from October 2011 to February 2012, Thailand has won bids to host 8 regional and global events, covering a number of business sectors, including medicine, pharmaceuticals, veterinary science, electrical and electronics goods. TCEB’s bid support included strategic planning, preparation of bidding documents, organizing activities to attract votes, and liaising with other government agencies and industry associations. 

“As a result of these successful bids, Thailand will host the following events: (1) the IEE International Conference on Electron Devices and Solid-State Circuits (EDSSC) to be held in 2012 with 200 participants; (2) the World Teak Conference, also scheduled for 2012 with over 1,000 participants; (3) the International Conference on Bioinformatics, scheduled for 2012 with more than 500 participants; (4) the Asia Wood Energy Conference, to take place during 2013 with 500 participants; (5) the 8th Congress of the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-retina Society 2013 (APVRS) to take place in 2013 with 700 participants; (6) the 39th World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress, to take place in 2014, with 3,000 participants; (7) The International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics Asia/Oceania Regional Congress, to take place in 2014, with 2,000 participants; and (8) the Federation of Immunology Society of Asia-Oceania Congress, scheduled for 2018, with 600 participants. 

“Together, these 8 events will attract over 10,000 participants, and generate additional earnings of over 900 million baht. Moreover, bids are in preparation for an additional 20 events. In all, during 2012 TCEB will support over 100 events, and TCEB expects to meet its targets for this year, with 750,000 MICE visitors, generating earnings of over 60 billion baht.  We therefore see strong potential for growth in Thailand’s international MICE market, which means we must redouble our development efforts. In this regard, TCEB is already implementing its plan for 2012, joining hands with TICA to conduct a total of 10 roadshows around the country in order to meet with industry associations and build their capacity to mount successful bids to host international events here in Thailand.  The medical sector is of particular importance, as it accounts for a major share of the total convention market. We need also to develop our market research and database systems, enhance our capacity to design creative, high-impact events, and harness the latest technologies to deliver world-class service to delegates and visitors. Together these measures will lay a strong foundation to enable Thailand to be recognized as a top global MICE destination,” Mr. Akapol said, in closing.