Bangkok and Hua Hin Shine for Redefined MICE of Thailand

Bangkok (Thailand) – September 6, 2019 (travelindex.com) – Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau’s (TCEB) annual international media familiarisation trip 2019 is showcasing the new strength of Bangkok’s and Hua Hin’s dual destination dynamism as product development continues to create new attractions and activities at a community level.

TCEB’s Senior Vice President – Business Mrs. Nichapa Yoswee said: “TCEB is using this to help redefine business experiences for MICE travelers in both destinations. The brand-new attraction at ICONSIAM, the new venue – True ICONSIAM Hall, together with the latest exclusive Michelin starred culinary experiences, is helping to strengthen international MICE business in Thailand. While innovative attractions and activities in local communities, like coconut palm sugar production in Samut Songkram, salt spa in Phetchaburi, both in the vicinity of Hua Hin, and herbal products in Hua Hin, present redefined business opportunities and experiences often not previously available.”

This redefined idea of TCEB comes amidst the stronger role of MICE in Thailand’s national development. MICE is now incorporated as a new growth driving engine in the government’s 20-year national development plan, plus the recent government policy to promote more local and community attractions beyond the established destinations.
“The positive development in Thailand’s MICE policy is reflected in TCEB’s record performance in the 2019 financial year. TCEB has won bids for 11 international conferences while attracted 17 new trade shows and 12 mega-sized meeting and incentive groups of over 100,000 delegates,” Mrs. Nichapa said.

This year also sees Thailand hosting two global MICE events: the UIA Asia Pacific Round Table 2019 scheduled for 19 to 20 September in Pattaya and the 86th UFI Global Congress 2019 scheduled for 6 to 9 November in Bangkok.

In 2020, TCEB will continue to focus on key markets around Southeast Asia, Europe, USA, China and India supported by the new development of MICE infrastructure and products. This includes increased function space of new venue hotel opening and expanded and upgraded transportation options in Bangkok and nationwide. The development is in conjunction with TCEB’s ‘7 MICE Magnificent Themes’, BizConnect Application and the Online Request for Support (RFS) among many other initiatives to promote new ideas for MICE and tools to facilitate events located in Thailand.

“Another key direction of TCEB in 2020 is deepening private-public sector partnership and collaboration, such as the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), Thai Exhibition Association (TEA) and Thai Hotels Association (THA), to find creative MICE solutions and new MICE experiences for clients hosting events in Thailand, which we believe will enhance redefined business experiences of our clients” Mrs. Nichapa concluded.

So far in 2019, Thailand’s MICE sector continues to display vibrancy as it moves from strength to strength. Overall overseas visitor arrivals and revenue (Q1 to Q3 2019) recorded 967,828 travelers (up 6.25% over the same period in 2018) and revenue of 70,438 million baht (approximately US$ 2.3 billion, up 2.23% over the same period last year).

By sector, MICE arrivals to Thailand showed amazing resiliency across the board. Meetings accounted for a total of 249,371 travellers (+4.44% over 2018) and revenue of 22,022 million baht (+6.53%); Incentives totalled 274,093 travellers (+3.28%) with revenue of 15,255 million baht (+0.15%); Conferences totalled 228,592 travellers (-3.05%) on revenue of 17,902 million baht (-3.48%); Exhibitions totalled 215,772 travellers (+20.02%) with total revenue of 15,259 million baht (+5.63%)

Asia is the top source market by geographical region with 852,640 arrivals to Thailand, followed by Europe with 41,357 arrivals, Oceania with 35,571 arrivals and the Americans with 24,834 arrivals. After that, the Middle East and Africa came in with 7,655 and 5,771 arrivals respectively.

In 2020, the number of overseas MICE visitors to Thailand is expected to increase by 11% to 1,386,000 arrivals and revenue by 5% to 105,600 million baht.

About TCEB
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has been the country’s official government agency supporting, promoting and developing global and regional business events (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions – MICE) in Thailand since 2004. As a strategic partner and sanctioned liaison, TCEB co-creates successful solutions with companies and organizations to realize MICE events of every scale and type.