ID :
150361
Fri, 11/19/2010 - 11:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/150361
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THAILAND EXPECTS MICE REVENUE TO CLINCH US$1.7 BLN THIS YEAR
BANGKOK, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) expects the Meeting, Incentives, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) business will churn out 52 billion bahts (about US$1.7 billion) in revenue this year.
Its president Akapol Sorasuchart said the MICE industry brought in about 700,000 visitors to Thailand over the past few years and the industry was expected to grow by 15 to 20 per cent in the next two years.
The TCEB expects the industry to grow to 57.6 billion bahts next year in tandem with the positive projection of the Asian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at seven per cent between this year and next year, he told the international media who participated in "Believe in Thailand" familiarisation programme which began yesterday.
Within the MICE sector, international corporate meetings and incentive
travel takes the highest market share at 41.1 per cent, followed by
international association conventions and meetings at 36.9 per cent and
international trade fairs at around 22 per cent.
There are eight major convention centres with a total floor area of 212,405
sq metres including the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre
(BITEC); Bangkok Convention Centre; Impact Exhibition and Convention Centre
(IMPACT); Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall; and Royal Phuket Marina
International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Akapol said the Thailand Government was serious in developing the MICE
industry and was building the Chiang Mai Meeting, Incentives, Conference and
Exhibition centre slated for completion late next year.
The centre will have 10,605 square metres in exhibition space.
Asked whether the political turmoil in Thailand had stabilised and was
conducive for MICE business, he said: "Thailand is back in business. The Thais
are capable as ever to hold any business event."
In April, supporters of former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
besieged some streets in Bangkok, including commercial centres in the heart of
Bangkok and torched buildings during clashes with the Thai army and the police.
Akapol said Thailand's MICE industry took a beating due to the violent
demonstrations and street protests but now the situation has improved.
He said flights to some holiday spots in Thailand like to the Phuket tourist
haven was mostly fully booked.
"This could be due to the announcement that the general election is expected
to be held next year. This has subdued some of the political tension as it gave
hope for the people to move on with their lives," he said.
He said Thailand has not lost its lustre in the MICE business and the cost
advantage of holding meetings in this country as the room rates are reasonable.
"Even five-star hotel rooms cost between RM468 and RM780 (US$150-US$250) per
night compared with RM936 (US$300) a night in some neighbouring countries like
Singapore," he said.
Thailand was banking on its people's hospitality, one of the strongest
pull factors for tourists to come to the "Land of Thousand Smiles", coupled
with their professionalism, insights and dedication, he said.
He also said Thailand was strategically located in the middle of Asean with
a market population of over 500 million people which provides a lot of business
opportunities.
Besides Bangkok, there are a myriad of amazing destinations for meetings, conventions and exhibitions like beautiful sandy beaches in Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin, Krabi and Phang Nga and cultural and heritage attractions in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, he said.
"Even in Bangkok, there are more new hotels now. The State Railway of Thailand has started its Airport Rail Link system from Phaya Thai Station to Suvarnabhumi Airport since August this year," he said.
The train can travel at a maximum speed of 168km an hour. It takes only 30 minutes from Phaya Thai to the airport," he added.
The TCEB, a government agency responsible to promote the MICE industry in Thailand, organises familiarisation visits including bringing the media from target markets across Asia and Europe to show them the resumption of business in Thailand and new MICE developments in Bangkok and Pattaya.
This trip is one of the programmes under the "Believe in Thailand" marketing campaign launched in July to boost the country's business event industry.
Its president Akapol Sorasuchart said the MICE industry brought in about 700,000 visitors to Thailand over the past few years and the industry was expected to grow by 15 to 20 per cent in the next two years.
The TCEB expects the industry to grow to 57.6 billion bahts next year in tandem with the positive projection of the Asian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at seven per cent between this year and next year, he told the international media who participated in "Believe in Thailand" familiarisation programme which began yesterday.
Within the MICE sector, international corporate meetings and incentive
travel takes the highest market share at 41.1 per cent, followed by
international association conventions and meetings at 36.9 per cent and
international trade fairs at around 22 per cent.
There are eight major convention centres with a total floor area of 212,405
sq metres including the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre
(BITEC); Bangkok Convention Centre; Impact Exhibition and Convention Centre
(IMPACT); Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall; and Royal Phuket Marina
International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Akapol said the Thailand Government was serious in developing the MICE
industry and was building the Chiang Mai Meeting, Incentives, Conference and
Exhibition centre slated for completion late next year.
The centre will have 10,605 square metres in exhibition space.
Asked whether the political turmoil in Thailand had stabilised and was
conducive for MICE business, he said: "Thailand is back in business. The Thais
are capable as ever to hold any business event."
In April, supporters of former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
besieged some streets in Bangkok, including commercial centres in the heart of
Bangkok and torched buildings during clashes with the Thai army and the police.
Akapol said Thailand's MICE industry took a beating due to the violent
demonstrations and street protests but now the situation has improved.
He said flights to some holiday spots in Thailand like to the Phuket tourist
haven was mostly fully booked.
"This could be due to the announcement that the general election is expected
to be held next year. This has subdued some of the political tension as it gave
hope for the people to move on with their lives," he said.
He said Thailand has not lost its lustre in the MICE business and the cost
advantage of holding meetings in this country as the room rates are reasonable.
"Even five-star hotel rooms cost between RM468 and RM780 (US$150-US$250) per
night compared with RM936 (US$300) a night in some neighbouring countries like
Singapore," he said.
Thailand was banking on its people's hospitality, one of the strongest
pull factors for tourists to come to the "Land of Thousand Smiles", coupled
with their professionalism, insights and dedication, he said.
He also said Thailand was strategically located in the middle of Asean with
a market population of over 500 million people which provides a lot of business
opportunities.
Besides Bangkok, there are a myriad of amazing destinations for meetings, conventions and exhibitions like beautiful sandy beaches in Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin, Krabi and Phang Nga and cultural and heritage attractions in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, he said.
"Even in Bangkok, there are more new hotels now. The State Railway of Thailand has started its Airport Rail Link system from Phaya Thai Station to Suvarnabhumi Airport since August this year," he said.
The train can travel at a maximum speed of 168km an hour. It takes only 30 minutes from Phaya Thai to the airport," he added.
The TCEB, a government agency responsible to promote the MICE industry in Thailand, organises familiarisation visits including bringing the media from target markets across Asia and Europe to show them the resumption of business in Thailand and new MICE developments in Bangkok and Pattaya.
This trip is one of the programmes under the "Believe in Thailand" marketing campaign launched in July to boost the country's business event industry.
