TCEB ACCELERATES ASEAN SUCCESS THROUGH THAILAND CONNECT THE WORLD FAMILIARISATION TRIP

Bangkok, 20 July 2015 – The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB reaffirms Thailand’s leadership position as a gateway to ASEAN business success through the Thailand CONNECT The World 2015: Bangkok - Khao Yai Media Familiarisation Trip, highlighting Thailand as a strategic linkage between global business excellence and local expertise that contributes to the success of the world’s economy through the vibrancy of the country’s MICE industry. A deep-dive programme showcases a diversity of business events destinations which include Bangkok, a quintessential Asian metropolis and the capital of connection, and Khao Yai, an emerging business events paradise and home to Thailand’s third largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex).

To further advance the collaboration to drive Thai MICE sector for the ASEAN Economic Community, TCEB synergises with four key partner organisations including the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways International, the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA) and Bangkok River Partners (BRP) to help attract more business events to Thailand. Moreover, the business events traveller-focused packages under the Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package will be introduced to provide completed quintessential Bangkok metropolitan downtown and majestic riverside MICE experiences.

Mr Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, TCEB’s President, stated the importance of building international confidence in Thai MICE sector during the Thailand CONNECT The World 2015: Bangkok - Khao Yai Media Familiarisation Trip that, “TCEB is proud to build on the strong and long-standing relationship the between Thai and global MICE sectors, and showcase Thailand as a gateway to ASEAN success for global businesses. While offering the strengths of Thailand’s business events industry, under the Thailand CONNECT The World brand communications encompassing unrivalled business events experiences through modern metropolis, and natural paradise destinations, Thailand can also maximise business potentials though vast market opportunities right at the heart of AEC, supported by highly proficient local professionals with global-minded services. In addition, we work closely with our 10 strategic partners under the Thailand’s MICE United II campaign to provide next level of products and services that are specially designed for business events travellers to Thailand, helping us to become ‘Top of Mind’ business destination in Asia.”

Mr Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Executive Director Advertising and Public Relation Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand, said that “We are delighted to be a partner agency and cooperate with TCEB to attract more MICE delegates to Thailand. Our ‘2015 Discover Thainess’ campaign, designed to highlight everything that makes Thailand unique as a country, culture and people, is perfectly suited to enhance our competitive advantage in attracting conferences and events.”

Mr Dol Bhasavanich, Department Manager, Domestic Routes & Sales, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI), said that “THAI is pleased to cooperate with TCEB in support of Thailand’s MICE United II project, moving Thailand forward by expanding MICE business through the AEC. The MICE business is of vital importance to THAI and the tourism and airline industries. By cooperating with TCEB and TAT as well as other partners, THAI is able to reinforce customer confidence in Thailand as a MICE destination. And as entrepreneurs and buyers continue to show confidence in destinations that THAI operates by continually bringing their business to Thailand, MICE travel continues to flourish. Furthermore, THAI offers promotions, special-priced air tickets on routes operated by THAI as a MICE incentive.”

Mr Chai Srivikorn, President of Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA) revealed that “RSTA is going to extend our participation in the ‘Thailand CONNECT the World’ campaign to the second year. Last year, the campaign shaped Ratchaprasong to be a key destination for MICE visitors from every corner of the world and we are certain that the number of MICE travelers is likely to surge in this year. We are going vivify the entire district with a wide variety of promotion including vouchers for upscale restaurants, a walking tour to spiritual attractions in the area, and room packages with inclusive services like free Wi-Fi, laundry and dry cleaning services, and fitness center. All temping discounts should inspire MICE visitors to expose themselves to the district’s immaculate and vibrant urban lifestyle. To further facilitate tourists and visitors from around the world who would like to spend their quality time in Ratchaprasong with accurate, up-to-date information, we are going to open the ‘Ratchaprasong Tourist Information Centre’ on the second floor of Amarin Plaza by next month.”

Mr David Robinson, Director, Bangkok River Partners (BRP) commented that, "The eight Bangkok River hotels offer a wealth of facilities for every business event. The diverse and flexible MICE venues and features provide local and international event planners an incredible opportunity to hold riverside conventions and functions. With a combined total of more than a hundred ballrooms and meeting rooms and the ability to accommodate thousands of guests, the hotels are perfectly equipped with world-class infrastructure and stellar management teams to meet the demands of any event, large or small. All function rooms boast state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, allowing for easy coordination and communication. What’s more, free hotel shuttle boats ensure your delegates arrive on time, relaxed and ready for business."

As the top destination in Asia-Pacific for three consecutive years (2013-2015) according to the MasterCard Global Destinations Cities Index, Bangkok – the quintessential Asian MICE metropolis – is intertwining multi-faceted landscape of the Thai Capital showcasing the vibrancy of city’s downtown and high rises complimented by world-class accommodations, facilities, and venues, and the Chao Phraya riverside highlighting the rise of new iconic and luxurious developments that help contribute to the revitalisation of Thailand’s majestic waterway.

With its Phase 1 of the 20-year development plan, Bangkok will enable a positive change to welcome business events travellers as a City for All, providing cultural opportunities through a wide variety of cultural and heritage shows, as an Economic and Learning Centre, positioning as world-class destination through facility enhancement and development to accommodate the business event industry.

Khao Yai – the Ultimate MICE Among the Nature – captivates both local and international business travellers thanks to its close proximity to Bangkok, only 205 kilometres or three hours from downtown Bangkok. Lying on the Asian Highway route network to Northeast Thailand and the neighbouring countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region, Thailand’s oldest and most well-known national park, Khao Yai offers unbeatable business events programmes complimented by eco-friendly, uber-luxury and boutique accommodation, state-of-the-art facilities, and natural and man-made attractions in its perimeter areas that are ideal for meetings and incentives, conferences, as well as teambuilding and CSR activities.

Mr Nopparat added that, “TCEB commits to driving the Thai business events sector by highlighting the capabilities and readiness of five MICE Cities, including Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Khon Kaen, as well as other leading destinations in Thailand. The introduction of new business events destinations such as Khao Yai, will not only be another building block of Thai business events’ success providing discerning business events travellers and organisers alike with programme that offers delegates the opportunity to enjoy Thailand’s best-kept attractions.”

During the 2014 fiscal year, from October 2013 to September 2014, Thailand attracted a total of 919,164 business events visitors, generating revenue of US$2.69 billion. The momentum continued to grow in the first half of the 2015 fiscal year – October 2014 to March 2015 – when Thailand welcomed 476,079 business events visitors, generating revenue of US$1.24 billion. The top 10 source markets included India, Singapore, Laos, Malaysia, US, China, the Philippines, Korea, Indonesia, and France.

Together with the Thailand CONNECT The World, and Thailand’s MICE United II campaigns, as well as other market development initiatives, TCEB expects Thailand to welcome 1,036,300 business events travellers (a 17 per cent increase from 2014 targets), earning to the Thai economy a total of US$3.55 billion (a 22 per cent increase from 2014 targets) in 2015.

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For further information, please contact:

Corporate Communications Division, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau

Ms Arisara Thanuplang    Tel: +662 694 6095    Email: arisara_t@tceb.or.th

Mr Pishnu Plaikaew Tel: +662 694 6000    Email: pishnu_p@tceb.or.th

Ms Kanokwan Kadeedang    Tel: + 662 694 6006    Email: kanokwan_k@tceb.or.th

Ms Kwanchanok Otton Tel: + 662 694 6096 Email: kwanchanok_o@tceb.or.th