Bangkok--16 Jul--JWT TCEB continues to strengthen the MICE industry in Thailand with new strategies to actively promote the Meetings & Incentives segment in the foreign markets, and the plan to launch 3 key events during the 2nd half of 2007 With the confidence in the MICE industry’s continuing stable growth, TCEB is actively planning to launch 3 events i.e. ConnectionPlus, ITCMA and ICCA to attract quality tourists particularly CEOs from around the world. The plan includes worldwide roadshows to promote “Meeting Energy” as the key differentiator for hosting a conference in Thailand. (Bangkok) Mr Nipat Dithipen, Deputy Director of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), disclosed that “Overall, the MICE industry has shown a positive trend with significant growth rate of nearly 20 - 30% every year and this favourable trend will continue to grow even further. The number of business travelers visiting Thailand has risen by 22% from 555,294 persons in 2005 to 677,500 persons in 2006, with revenue increasing by 23% from 38,000 million Baht in 2005 to 46,747 million Baht in 2006. It is expected that the number of business travelers will rise by 18% to 797,000 persons in 2007 along with an 18% increase in revenue to 54,993 million Baht from 46,747 million Baht in 2006.” For The Meetings & Incentives segment has experienced a constant growth rate of nearly 20% per year with 280,000 MI tourists traveling into the country in 2006, a 25% increase from 225,000 persons in 2005. The strength of MICE industry along with Thailand’s capacity in terms of conference halls, exhibition centers, transportation, and public utilities including a unique culture and the famous Thai cuisine as well as diversity of activities and tourist attractions are the factors that contribute to the success of Thailand’s MICE industry in becoming the regional leader in the exhibition business. Mr Nipat went on about TCEB’s objectives and strategy for the Meetings and Incentives segment to promote the MICE industry and boost the number of quality tourists that “TCEB has set active goals for 2007 by focusing on cooperation with government and private sectors to directly penetrate specific target groups as well as to create new interesting services or mixed services such as Corporate Well-being Incentives, Soft Adventure for Team Building and Dining-around Incentives. TCEB will approach the foreign companies in Thailand, the companies with head offices abroad and the foreign partner companies to outline strategic directions that will attract those companies to host meetings and incentives travels in Thailand.” Apart from collaboration with Tourism Authority of Thailand to expand the meetings & incentives segment through the launch of trade shows or roadshows under the name “Thai Team” in specific areas or countries, TCEB will travel with the private sector to key foreign markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Korea and USA to meet prospect buyers and to distribute related information etc. During the 2nd half of 2007, 3 significant events will be organized to shake up the market and to attract quality tourists to Thailand. These are Corporate Connection Plus, Incentive Travel & Convention, Meeting Asia (IT & CMA) to be held simultaneously with Corporate Travel World-Asia Pacific (CTW) and 46th ICCA Congress 2007. Mr. Nipat stressed about Thailand’s capacity as the ideal destination for international conferences: “International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) currently ranks Thailand 25th in the world, 6th in Asia (second to Japan, China, Singapore, Korea and Hong Kong) and 2nd in Asian region (second to Singapore) as the country with the highest number of international conventions. There were 82 international events held in Thailand which accounts for 1.5% of the world’s international conventions.” Furthermore, Thailand scores 28th in the world, 4th in Asia (second to Japan, China and Korea) and 1st in Asian region as the country with the highest number of expected international conventions to be held during 2006 - 2017. There are 71 international events to be held in Thailand, accounting for 1.3 of the world’s international conventions. Such scores signify that Thailand is not merely the ideal retreat destination but has firmly established itself as the top conference and meeting destination for leading corporations around the world. Apart from our exceptional world-class venues, we also encourage our customers to organize their shows at the unique locations since the delegates can attend the meetings and experience the extraordinary Thai culture simultaneously. This “Meeting Energy” has been very well-received amongst foreign companies.” Mr. Puripan Bunnag, Senior Manager-Meetings and Incentives, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), disclosed details of 3 up-coming events to be held during the 2nd half of the year that “The Corporate Connection Plus is the key event for corporate buyers. TCEB plans to invite 100 attendants consisted of corporate buyers from leading corporations in 10 countries and media people to attend the presentation of Thailand’s MICE industry. This event is aimed at building the partnership network of MICE industry and will be held from August 15-19, 2007.” The Incentive Travel & Convention, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) and Corporate Travel World-Asia Pacific (CTW) or ITCMA&CTW 2007 will take place from October 23 -25, 2007 at Central World Plaza. As the 4th year official host, Thailand will continue to promote sales within the Asia-Pacific region and organize a conference for buyers from multi-national corporations including a seminar by international key-note speakers for the development of the Meetings & Incentives Segment. This year will mark a 15th Anniversary of ITCMA&CTW in Thailand and a 10th anniversary of CTW. Both events have enjoyed regional recognition and received strong support from 8 international conference and meeting organizations. More than 301 exhibitors from 29 countries and 400 worldwide buyers joined the events. Activities include exciting promotions from participating countries, networking, pre-event and post-event tours to discover new products in every region of Thailand. The ICCA Congress 2007 will be held from October 26-30, 2007 at Pattaya. This top management conference focuses on the issue of conventions in Thailand and is expected to attract more than 800 organizers from around the world. Mr. Puripan went on that “TCEB’s mission for the 2nd half of year is to rapidly implement significant projects to support the MICE industry in Thailand such as Royal Initiative Discovery. As TCEB’s main project funded by the government, Royal Initiative Discovery will cover 19 tourist attractions nationwide; 5 in the northern region, 7 in the central region, 3 in the southern region and 4 in the eastern region. This 5-year project will run from 2007 to 2011 and will be incorporated in every TCEB’s activities promoting the Meetings & Incentives segment such as trade shows and roadshows. These activities will focus on promoting edutainment travels to discover the Royal initiative projects, creating new exciting adventures or historical trips for the Meetings & Incentives segment as well as presenting Thailand as the country with a balanced and sufficient economy. Incorporating Royal Initiative Discovery as part of the meetings and incentive travels in Thailand is expected to bring in foreign currency and circulate money in the economy worth 3,100 million Baht. It targets 900,000 visitors, consisting of 750,000 domestic tourists and 150,000 foreign.” “Currently, corporate tourists in Thailand come from Asia, Europe and Australia respectively. Each group has increased their spending by 20% on spa, food, golfing, health and wellness activities and resting on the beautiful beaches. Additional activities include extraordinary cultural trips, historical tours and shopping. Top cities for the meetings & incentive trips are Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Chaingmai. Nevertheless, Krabi, Hua-Hin and Chaingrai are becoming popular amongst corporate tourists. About TCEB Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is an official organization established by the Royal Decree following the decree’s publication in the Royal Gazette on 28th September 2002. TCEB has been operating since the year 2004. TCEB has objectives in promoting and coordinating corporate meetings, incentive events, conventions and exhibitions which are usually referred to collectively as the acronym ‘MICE’ standing for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions in Thailand. The Bureau’s establishment reflects Thailand’s growing stature as a destination of choice for international meetings, conventions and exhibitions. For more information, please contact: Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau Khun Parichat Svetasreni Tel: 662 694 6000 Ext. 6091 Mobile: 6681 840 4701 E-mail: [email protected] Khun Arisara Thanuplang Tel: 662 694 6000 Ext. 6091 Mobile: 6681 561 4745 E-mail : [email protected] JWT (Thailand), JWT Public Relations Khun Wongchan Tangsongsak Tel: 662 204 8221 Mobile: 6689 127 2089 E-mail: [email protected] Khun Yada Srisammasheep Tel: 662 204 8214 Mobile: 6684 640 0058 E-Mail: [email protected]