This major event enjoys full government support, and is expected to significantly boost Thai tourism and MICE industries as the country promotes its new tourism campaign – “Miracle Thailand”
Bangkok: 23 April 2012 – The Royal Thai Government has announced that it will offer its full support on the memorable occasion for the country which will, for the first time, host the 2012 Rotary International Convention. Over 30 public and private sectors have recently met to discuss their final preparations in welcoming over 30,000 Rotarians from over 160 countries worldwide. This major world-class event is anticipated to help take Thailand’s MICE capabilities to new heights, and it comes at the right time as the country’s brand-new tourism-boosting campaign – “Miracle Thailand” – is in full swing. The event is expected to generate as much as 3 Billion Baht in revenue for Thailand.
Ms. Pensuda Priaram, Chairman of the Board of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau or TCEB, said the following at a press conference held for the 2012 Rotary International Convention. “It is an esteemed honor for Thailand to be selected as the host country for the upcoming 2012 Rotary International Convention as it helps underline the exceptional capabilities of the Thai MICE industry in organizing such a world-class event. The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, has worked closely together with Rotary clubs in Thailand since 2004 to promote Thailand as host of the 2012 Rotary International Convention by submitting a Bid Book to Rotary International. In the Bid Book, TCEB, as a government agent and a financial supporter, has submitted a letter of financial support in the amount of 270 million baht, which gained consent from the cabinet on March 8th, 2012, for Thailand to hold such a convention. There were three cities at the time that qualified for consideration by the executive directors of Rotary International, including Sydney, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. The major responsibilities in holding such a grand event were then assigned to several public and private agencies including the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, TCEB and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.”
“For the first time ever, Thailand has the great honor to host the 2012 Rotary International Convention, and this year’s convention is expected to welcome over 30,000 Rotarians from all corners of the world. It is estimated that most of the attendees will spend 2-3 times more than an average tourist does in Thailand. The convention is therefore anticipated to significantly boost the Thai MICE and tourism industries and to generate over 3 Billion Baht in revenue.”, added Ms. Pensuda.
TCEB today presented its MICE policy to the new government, incorporating a 5-year plan to develop the MICE industry from 2012-2016 in line with the 11th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2012-2016). “Therefore, TCEB is confident that by implementing the 5-year MICE industry development plan, working together with the industry, we can establish Thailand as a MICE hub for Asia by the year 2016. Our aim is to increase the level of awareness of Thailand among MICE travelers. We estimate that by 2016 Thailand will be able to attract 75% more MICE travelers, or 1.4 million visitors per year, with revenues reach 1.3 billion baht.
She further noted that, “The convention will provide an excellent opportunity for Thailand to demonstrate the outstanding capabilities of its MICE industry to the world, and pave the way for it to become a leading MICE industry hub in the region. Moreover, it will also help promote Thailand’s brand new tourism campaign – ‘Miracle Thailand’ – which is being actively implemented by the Thai government.”
The event will play an important part in helping to promote Thailand economically and socially to the world, underscoring the country’s outstanding MICE capabilities. It will also be a great platform for Thailand to impress Rotarians with the country’s great cultural and tourism values. In this regard, over 30 public and private sectors from various fields including entertainment, event organization and security – have been assigned to work together in creating a spectacular event to remember.
Mr. Thongchai Sridama, Board of Director and Acting President of TCEB, said that, “TCEB has worked actively and supportively together with Rotary clubs in Thailand for many years in bringing this grand event to Thailand. Our most recent role was in organizing meetings with various public and private sectors to ensure that each and every aspect of the event will reflect well on the country.”
The emphasis of such meetings was on the following four areas.
- 1. To ensure fast, convenient immigration process for incoming delegates. This undertaking has received warm collaboration from the Department of Consular Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- 2. To arrange a warm welcome for incoming delegates at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Tasks have been assigned to three major agencies on this matter. Firstly, Airports of Thailand Plc. or AOT will arrange all relevant welcome signage, as well as, install welcome counters at Baggage Claim belts. Secondly, the Immigration Office will be responsible for arranging a special fast lane and providing sufficient personnel to accommodate a speedy immigration process for such a large number of delegates. ‘Visa On Arrival’ service will also be available. Thirdly, the Department of Consular Affairs will help facilitate the customs process for delegates bringing in documents and items related to the convention.
- 3. To ensure dependable safety and efficient traffic management. On this front, special shuttle bus services will be available for delegates staying at 56 participating hotels, facilitating travel between their hotels and convention venues throughout the convention period. As many as 20 special bus stops will be arranged for this purpose.
- 4. To raise the awareness of the event among the general Thai public. They will be invited to be ‘good hosts’ for visitors. Such efforts will be promoted in Bangkok and other major MICE cities including Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya – all of which will be visited by participating Rotarians before, during and after the convention.
Moreover, in major overseas markets, there will be PR activities, such as trade shows and road shows, to promote Thailand’s capabilities in organizing such a world-class event.
“The success of this event will undoubtedly go a long way in underlining Thailand’s readiness to host world-class MICE events, which is exactly in line with the missions and aims of TCEB to steer the country to become the leading MICE hub in ASEAN. Additionally, this grand, international event will contribute greatly to generating substantial MICE revenue for the country. TCEB anticipates that Thailand will welcome as many as 750,000 MICE visitors and earn as much as 60 Billion Baht worth of MICE revenue in 2012.”, explained, Mr. Thongchai.
Mr. Noraseth Pathamanand, Chair, Host Organization Committee of 2012 Rotary International Convention, revealed that, “In addition to the core activities which are held every year such as group and regional meetings of Rotarians, this year’s convention will also feature special addresses by various world-renowned Keynote Speakers including Muhamad Yunas, Nobel Prize winner of 2006; Hugh Evans, CEO of the Global Poverty Project; and, Amanda Martin of the Global Health Access Program. The event will also present voluntary activities of Rotarians from many nations in over 100 booths. What makes this year’s event even more special is that Rotarians will use it as a platform to celebrate their success in raising 202 Million USD in new funding for worldwide polio eradication – Rotary’s top philanthropic goal. This Rotary fundraising campaign was in response to an initial grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As a result of achieving the campaign milestone six months early, the Foundation awarded Rotary an additional 405 Million Baht. All funds will support polio immunization activities in affected countries where this vaccine-preventable disease continues to paralyze children.”
With the aim to create positive impressions for Rotarians and participants from around the world, Thailand, as the host nation, has planned a variety of exciting activities for them, all of which will be under the theme of ‘The Land of a Thousand Smiles’. The theme symbolizes the Thai culture of always extending goodwill to visitors. The mascots of the convention are ‘Nong Yim’ and ‘Nong Yam’, a Thai boy and a Thai girl in traditional loincloths, who will act as ambassadors in welcoming all the guests. One of this year’s biggest highlights is to form 2012 people into the shape of Thailand’s biggest smile in history – the phenomenon of which will be recorded by “Ripley’s Believe It or Not”. Moreover, the ‘House of Friendship’ will be created and adorned with beautiful flowers from the Doi Tung Development Project. All of these aforementioned activities are expected to create lasting impressions for visitors from around the world as they are truly special activities never seen elsewhere before.
In addition, Rotary Thailand will also present great performances by prominent artists. Such shows include the following.
A mini-concert by Tata Young, a famous Thai singer who will perform songs specially composed for this event.
- A world premiere of the musical entitled “A Boy and a Tiger”, directed by famous composer Bruce Gaston who has been recognized with the distinguished Silpathorn National Artist award in 2009.
“Furthermore, Rotary International will hold the Rotary World Peace Symposium in Thailand 1-2 days prior to the 2012 Rotary International Convention. The Rotary World Peace Symposium is held every three years and it is an honor and a good opportunity for Thailand to promote its reputation as a peaceful country. Thailand is one of Rotary’s six Peace Centers in the world. Most of this year’s activities will focus on promoting the goodwill of friendship which is Rotary International’s top philosophy.”,concluded Mr. Noraseth.
The 2012 Rotary International Convention is scheduled to be staged at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani, during May 6th to 9th, 2012, approximately about a month from now. The event will attract over 30,000 Rotarians from over 160 countries and is set to become the grandest international convention ever staged in Thailand.
