No matter which path you choose, success is sure to follow….at IMEX America
Las Vegas, NV: October 11, 2011:At IMEX America this week, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) will launch Phase 2 of its “Believe in Thailand” campaign. A new emphasis is reflected in the campaign’s theme: “Thailand…Destination of “CHOICES” — No matter which path you choose, success is sure to follow.”
TCEB’s President Akapol Sorasuchart explained, “The theme perfectly reflects the multitude of choices, options and settings that together make Thailand a unique and perfect location for your next business event. Our goal is to ensure that every experience is unique, with more choices now and the most choices for the future. Thailand’s MICE and travel operators work to world-class standards, and will give your event the special, personalized service it requires because the diversity of options available allows you to personally design each event to maximize your success.”
Commenting on the status of Thailand’s own MICE industry, Sorasuchart said, “This year, Thailand is expected to welcome almost 720,000 MICE visitors, who will participate in meetings and incentives, conventions, exhibitions and trade fairs, generating expected revenues of US$1.9 (Bht 57.6 billion). Additionally, our recently announced MICE policy and roadmap projects global MICE travelers to Thailand to increase by more than 75 percent from 2012 to 2016, with revenues up by more than 87 percent by the year 2016.
“Thailand’s MICE industry is also projected to play an increasingly important role in the country’s overall economy. Today the MICE industry represents only 9.13 percent of total tourism revenues for 2011, but this share is expected to rise to 18.35 percent by 2016, with revenues of US$ 4.36 billion (Bht 130.92 billion),” Sorasuchart added.
In 2011, Thailand expects to welcome 23 percent more business from the Americas, with MICE visitor numbers rising from 42,102 last year to a projected 51,904 by year-end, generating revenues of US$ 107.8 million. For Thailand, the Americas have huge market potential, and there is considerable upside potential for these figures to grow further in the coming years.
Regarding the role of TCEB, Sorasuchart said, “TCEB is a government agency mandated to support the development of Thailand’s business event, or MICE, industry. We work closely with the private sector — the tourism and hotel industry, as well as the convention and trade fair industry — to identify how we may best target our support for private sector development. TCEB provides financial and non-financial assistance to Thailand-based MICE operators in market promotion, bid preparation and strategic advice. But we also have some exciting support packages specifically tailored to the needs of overseas MICE operators, professional bodies and societies that want to bring their business events to Thailand. I therefore encourage U.S. event organizers to contact us to find out how TCEB can help organize a superlative, memorable and cost-effective event in Thailand.
“The theme of the second phase of TCEB’s ‘Believe in Thailand’ campaign, and its emphasis on choices, is very appropriate. TCEB has categorized the MICE industry into three segments: meetings, trade shows and international events. No matter which path you choose, TCEB will assist you toward your business success step by step. Believe in Thailand to ensure that your next business event soars to even greater heights. Thailand’s reputation for hospitality is unsurpassed and when combined with professional services, world-class infrastructure and facilities, varities of meeting destinations and countless business opportunities, it will come as no surprise that you will want to return, time and again,” Sorasuchart said.
Sorasuchart also noted the significant progress in Thailand’s bid to host the World Expo 2020. “TCEB is also playing a central role in coordinating Thailand’s bid to host this mega-event in Thailand’s ancient capital of Ayuthaya. Our preparations are well underway, and we have already conducted a series of events to build public awareness, support and unity among Thai people from all walks of life in supporting our bid,” he said.
Concluding, Sorasuchart offered his perspective on the enormous opportunity represented by the forthcoming formation of the ASEAN Economic Community, or AEC in 2015. “The projected value of trade in AEC, at US$6.4 trillion, will represent a quarter of total global trade, translating into countless business opportunities through closer economic cooperation within the region. From now on, when we talk about Thailand, we also speak as a representative of the AEC because Thailand serves as the natural gateway to the ASEAN countries. With modern infrastructure and facilities including six international airports, as well as the upcoming high speed rail network through Thailand which will include the Kunming – Singapore rail link, Thailand really is at the crossroads of ASEAN. Travelling around the country is fast and convenient, allowing a wide range of choices and great flexibility for business events. The AEC market holds enormous promise as well as challenges for Thailand, and will fuel strong economic growth and a flourishing MICE industry in the region.
