BANGKOK—A new five-year action plan from Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau The aim of this plan is to promote the country as a leading destination for business events. The plan will be supported by two initiatives, “TCEB Go” and “MICE to Meet You Year 2023” in Thailand.
In 2019, the international MICE market generated 93.9 billion baht for Thailand, while the domestic MICE business brought in 107 billion baht, according to the Bangkok Post. Total MICE revenue accounted for 3.27% of the country’s GDP..
TCEB Go integrates both sustainability and innovation into its five-pronged approach. On the sustainability front, TCEB is committed to supporting its destinations’ efforts to achieve Global Destination Sustainability Index certification, supporting MICE organizers seeking ISO 20121 certification, and certifying over 450 MICE organizers across the country under the Thailand Sustainable Event Management Standard (TSEMS) to reduce their carbon footprint. To foster digital skills and innovation, TCEB will continue to invest in its MICE Intelligence Center and Thailand MICE One Stop Service as a digital platform to facilitate MICE logistics. It will also continue its MICE Winnovation project, an incubator for innovative solutions for MICE events.
“Last year alone, TCEB supported a total of 11 new trade shows and 25 new ones are planned for 2023, which is expected to attract around 160,000 foreign business travellers, an increase of 236% from 2022, and generate 10.60 billion baht in revenue. This is an indicator of the strong confidence in Thailand as a platform for business growth,” Chiruit Isarangkun Already Ayutthayasaid the chairman of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.
TCEB also works to promote the cultural identity and local experiences of its cities and provinces to conference groups. It has developed a series of seven “Magnificent MICE Itineraries” and identified local products and services that can be used as souvenirs, snacks or gifts for delegates.
“TCEB is well aware of the post-COVID“Thailand is a destination that brings all of these elements together, and travelers from all over the world are looking for four main elements: culture, nature, adventure and wellness. Thailand is recognized as a destination that brings all of these elements together,” Chiruit said.
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Thailand has several major international events on its programme in 2023, including THE World Congress of Nephrologywhich will take place from March 30 to April 2; on the 29th International Montessori Congress from August 2 to 5; the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations AFECA Annual General Meeting in October; the 62nd International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress in November; and the World Allergy Congress 2023 in December. These follow the prestigious APEC Economic Leaders Weekwhich was held last November, and which received worldwide media coverage, as senior officials from 21 economies from the Asia-Pacific region met in Bangkok Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, said his organization’s goal for its upcoming congress in Bangkok is twofold: to produce a world-class global event and to test a new format.
“There is no doubt that the ICCA Congress will showcase how business events can contribute to socio-economic development, strengthen the intellectuality of the meetings industry and prepare for the future,” said Gopinath. “The format will take into account both education and experience sharing, and delegates will be able to experience memorable Thai hospitality and professionalism.”
Reach Senthil Gopinath at 31 203981919 or Senthil.g@iccaworld.organization; Chiruit Isarangkun Already Ayutthaya haschiruit_i@tceb.or.th