Thailand Redefines MICE Industry Direction with Public and Private Partnerships to Move Kingdom Forward in Line with National Strategy

21 April 2017, Bangkok: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB is connecting public and private sector organisations at MICE Moves Thailand Forward 2017 – a leading platform to help promote the integration of policy and operational collaboration to further drive Thailand’s MICE industry. TCEB aims at propelling the MICE sector as an essential economic and national growth driver towards stability, prosperity and sustainability, to support the economy in line with the 20-year National Strategy that is key to country’s integrity and economy.

Mr.Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, vice president of TCEB said that, “As a vital service sector driving our economy forward, Thailand’s MICE industry helps extend and expand trade and investment among the Thai and international business network, both directly and indirectly. It also promotes the exchange of knowledge, information, and innovations sustainably. A study of the economic impact of the MICE industry in Thailand revealed that total expenditure from MICE activities contributes 220 billion baht to the Thai economy, while generating up to 164,427 jobs. Given this importance, the Royal Thai Government has identified the MICE industry as one of the key service sectors at the core of the 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2017-2021), and the 20-year National Strategy.”

Encompassing the strategy to move the MICE industry forward according to the roadmap, TCEB will strengthen this partnership among public and private sector organisations to help facilitate MICE travellers. Some of the key highlighted projects include MICE Lane – an exclusive service to facilitate and expedite the immigration process for MICE travellers; Thailand’s MICE United – a collaborative campaign to help develop MICE products and services to attract MICE travellers to Thailand; MICE City – to respond to the evolving needs of customers in the domestic and international MICE industry. These successful activities were introduced to reinforce Thailand’s leadership position as a premiere destination for businesses and MICE events, providing ease of doing business in accordance with the Government’s policy.

Mr.Chiruit added that, “MICE Moves Thailand Forward 2017 is one of TCEB’s campaigns under the ‘Integrated Move’ strategy, aimed at integrating collaboration among public and private sector organisations to support and uplift Thai MICE businesses enabling the MICE sector to drive the country’s development in line with the National Strategy. As a platform for MICE industry’s key stakeholders to exchange ideas on policy and strategic direction, it is expected to involve more than 200 participants from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Immigration Bureau, Airports of Thailand PLC, Thai Exhibition Association, Thailand Incentive and Convention Association, Thai Hotels Association, Event Management, Event Management Association, MICE entrepreneurs, and education institutes.”

Key highlighted activities at MICE Moves Thailand Forward 2017 also include keynote sessions “MICE Moves Thailand Forward” by Mr Weerasak Kowsurat, Chairman of the Board, TCEB; “National Strategy and the Future of the Thai MICE Industry” by Mr.Wirot Nararak, Senior Advisor in Policy and Plan, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board; MICE Talk – “Think Big: Aspiring Entrepreneur from Khon Kaen Who Drives the Development of a MICE City” by Mr Channarong Buristrakul, Managing Director of the Piman Group, and Khon Kaen City Development Ltd (KKTT); and “Think Inspiring: Inspiration from 4 DNA Decoder for City Development” by Asst. Prof. Akekapong Treetrong, former Dean of the Faculty of Decorative Arts, Silpakorn University.