REPORT – BALI – PATA TRAVEL MART: Thailand’s Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) sector is doing well. In the first six months of 2006, Thailand saw a growth of 70.54% in visitor arrivals for…
REPORT – BALI – PATA TRAVEL MART: Thailand’s Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) sector is doing well. In the first six months of 2006, Thailand saw a growth of 70.54% in visitor arrivals for conventions and a 27.95% increase in business travellers.
The highest numbers for convention delegates were from the ASEAN region, led by Malaysia followed by Singapore and Indonesia. Delegates from Japan were up by 112.44% and Korea 358.50%.
According to the estimated figures for 2007 conducted by the Thailand Conventional and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Thailand will receive a total of 814,000 MICE delegates, generating about 56 billion baht foreign exchange revenue for the Thai economy.
TCEB plans to build itself into an agile and professional organisation that will harness the power of marketing intelligence and databases and bolster industry knowledge and skills development.
TCEB also has profiled the local trade and industry associations, especially the medical fraternity which holds the biggest annual conventions. In the field of exhibitions, particular attention will be paid to the top global industries: jewellery, automotive, agriculture and fashion.
Facilities for international incentive travel, meetings, conferences, and exhibitions are being strongly promoted.
Currently, Thailand offers five high-class convention and exhibition centres including the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Impact Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok Convention Centre (BCC) at Central Plaza, and Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH).
Medium-sized convention halls are also available at the Siam Paragon complex and the Central World Trade Centre right in downtown Bangkok, surrounded by dozens of hotel facilities all within walking distance.
In addition, new centres are emerging in regional destinations like Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Several major events are to be held in Thailand this year, such as the World International Islamic Conference & Exhibition Thailand 2007, IT&CMA / CTW Asia-Pacific, ICCA 2007, Media Asia Expo 2007, Proud Asia 2007, and Worlddidac Asia 2007.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
