Chiang Mai, 15 January 2013 – The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB joined force with eight key government and private organizations in Chiang Mai in laying a framework for further development of Chiang Mai as a world-class MICE destination. The framework, achieved at the Chiang Mai MICE Summit held in Chiang Mai today, is also a part of the stakeholders’ efforts to translate the government’s “Chiang Mai’s Year of MICE” into concrete action.
Chiang Mai MICE Summit was convened by the collaboration between TCEB, Chiang Mai province, the Chiang Mai Provincial Administration, Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce, Chiang Mai tourism Business Association, the Office of Commercial Affairs Chiang Mai, TAT Chiang Mai Office, Chiang Mai Creative City (CMCC) and Chiang Mai University. The main objective was to draw a framework for a master plan for developing Chiang Mai as the MICE destination for Thailand and ASEAN in five years.
Chiang Mai has very strong infrastructure advantages which support the city’s plan to become a MICE destination. The province has a total of more than 33,000 hotel rooms. Chiang Mai International Airport is the country’s third largest airport in Thailand, after Suvarnaphumi and Don Mueang International Airports respectively. It handles 401 domestic flights and 76 international flights per week, or a total of 12,377 flights per year. The airport can handle maximum of eight million passengers and 30,000 tonnes of cargo. In high seasons, seven airlines, including Air Bagan, China Eastern, Korean Air, Silk air, Thai Air Asia, China airline and Air Asia, increase flight frequency to meet with the increasing demand.
According to the Chiang Mai MICE Destination master plan, the development will be divided into three phases. In Phase 1, which begins in 2013, domestic MICE will be set as the target while all concerned agencies work together to improve infrastructure. By positioning Chiang Mai as a strategic MICE City, various education campaigns will be introduced.
In the second phase, from 2014-2015, promotion will be extended beyond domestic MICE but covers regional cooperation blocks, including GMS, BIMSTEC and Chiang Mai Twin Cities. These cities will work closely together to grow the market. While business and economic growth progresses, the balance between business and cultural development have to be achieved. In the third phase (2016-2017), all agreed to promote Chiang Mai as a Global MICE City with capability of handling world’s mega events.
The MICE Destination framework will be submitted to the Cabinet for acknowledgement later.
In 2012, the total value of MICE industry in Chiang Mai reached 3,859.3 million. Out of this 3,764.8 million baht was contributed by 46,826 foreign MICE travelers while the remaining 94.52 million incomes was generated by 22,150 domestic MICE travelers. The total number of MICE event held in Chiang Mai in 2011 is 491 events per year.
