TCEB Expedites Government’s Policies, Launches the ‘Meetings in Thailand’ Campaign to Spur Domestic Meetings

TCEB has stepped up government support for meetings with subsidies and 200% tax deduction with the launch of the ‘Meetings in Thailand’ campaign. The campaign is aimed at stimulating spending by public and private organizations for domestic meetings and incentive travel and boost income distribution among communities and regions. The bureau is targetting 70 million baht worth of revenues generated from the campaign from February to July, 2020.

Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, disclosed that the cabinet resolution passed on 4 February 2020 has identified measures to promote domestic meetings. They include allowances for companies and any business entities to reduce their taxable income by 200% of the amount they spend on domestic meeting.  To qualify for this double tax deduction, expenses much be incurred any time from 1 January to 31 December 2020. This first campaign of the year by TCEB to support meetings and incentive travel among private corporations is named ‘Meetings in Thailand’. The first phase will run from February to July. 

  “In 2019, TCEB conducted a survey on domestic MICE businesses and the results indicated that the number of domestic meetings and incentives totalled 20,251, of which 17,499 were organised by private corporations. The number of meeting delegates totalled 1,935,030, of which 1,732,410 were from private corporations. These meetings generated a revenue of more than 4,097 million baht. Private corporations generally hold excursions for employees and their business alliances every year. Therefore, we can start our campaign immediately by encouraging private corporations to organise more domestic meetings and excursions. The ‘Meetings in Thailand’ campaign and the double tax deduction it offers will motivate private corporations to consider domestic meetings more favourably, thereby stimulate spending and income distribution from region to region.”      

TCEB’s latest campaign will offer vouchers worth up to 20,000 baht for each meeting organised by a private corporation. The meeting must take place in a region outside of the corporation’s location and involve at least 40 participants, and at least one night’s stay. In its first phase, the campaign is expected to support 500 meeting groups or 20,000–40,000 delegates. The total income generated is projected to be 70 million baht.    

“TCEB has formulated marketing and public relations plans to engage private corporations so that the ‘Meetings in Thailand’ campaign achieves its objective. We will build awareness through online and offline communication platforms, as well as launch activities that will acquaint private corporations with Thailand’s tremendous potential for business meetings. The pilot activity is a familiarisation trip for CEOs from various corporations and members of the press to visit Ta Kian Tia Community in Chonburi. Participants will also attend a forum held at Amari Pattaya hotel on 26 February held to encourage domestic meetings and economic impacts on the communities.” 

TCEB’s public relations activities will target members of the media through channels such as press conferences and news releases. Fresh updates will be provided throughout the campaign’s duration. TCEB will also produce and disseminate materials online and offline to engage various audiences such as representatives of associations, private corporations and public agencies. The goal is to encourage a greater exchange of ideas and experiences in the successful organisation of domestic meetings. Through the double tax allowance and a varied line-up of activities, TCEB hopes the “Meetings in Thailand” campaign will inspire a new appreciation for domestic meetings among Thai people. It estimates that domestic MICE travellers will grow to more than 36,395,000 this year, generating approximately 127,100 million baht in spending. 

All private corporations are welcome to apply for the ‘Meetings in Thailand’ campaign. Please contact Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Regional Office) at Tel. 02-694-6000. Applications are open until 31 June for meetings to be held by 31 July 2020. For more information, please visit www.thaimiceconnect.com.