Thailand forecasts nearly one million MICE visitors

Following a year in which it welcomed nearly 900,000 meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) visitors, Thailand has predicted that its MICE market will grow by more than 10% in 2013.

According to Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), around 940,000 MICE delegates will travel to the country this year, generating some 88 billion baht (US$2.83 billion) in revenue.

TCEB's forecast comes after the launch of its new initiative 'THAILAND: Connecting Asia's Diversity of Dynamic Destinations', which will look to boost business travel to the country by promoting its "world class events infrastructure and facilities, its variety of vibrant cities and its recreation for business events".

Speaking during TCEB's recent media familiarisation trip, TCEB President Nopparat Maythaveekulchai said "as Asia continues to spiral upwards, Thailand is putting itself on the global map as a top ranked business event destination in the region".

Nopparat said the strategy of appointing Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Khonkan as the official business events cities of Thailand would further advance Thailand's "preeminent place" among Asia's MICE destinations.

In 2012, Thailand received 895,224 MICE delegates, responsible for 79.8 billion baht ($2.54 billion). Corporate events accounted for 9.49% of all tourism earnings in Thailand, or 0.58% of GDP.

The "major driver" of growth for the nation's MICE industry, Asia accounted for 65% of all business events in Thailand in 2012, with the top five source markets being India, China, Singapore, Japan and Malaysia.

http://www.tceb.or.th