TCEB GEARS UP FOR RAPID GROWTH IN CHINA MICE MARKET

Beijing, 6 August 2015 – The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB today announced its plans to serve China’s rapidly growing MICE market, unveiled new promotions for Chinese visitors, and introduced Khao Yai as Thailand’s latest MICE destination for the Chinese meetings and incentive travel market.

China was the top contributor to Thailand’s MICE industry in 2014, with a total 120,684 Chinese MICE visitors, generating revenues of RMB1.814 billion. In the first half of 2015 Thailand welcomed a total 32,149 Chinese MICE visitors, with numbers jumping from 12,563 in Q1 to 19,586 in Q2. TCEB is confident in continuing growth in this strategically important market.

Thailand’s MICE industry has seen a transformation in recent years, with massive investment in infrastructure, dedicated world-class venues and a new level of sophistication in standards and services. From October 2014 to March 2015, Thailand welcomed 476,079 business event travellers, generating more than RMB 7.35 billion for the economy. The top 10 source markets included China, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, US, Philippines, Korea, Indonesia and France.

Speaking at IBTM China, TCEB's President, Nopparat Maythaveekulchai revealed that, “China is a key priority market for Thailand’s MICE sector, and we see exciting prospects for continuing growth. This year Thailand forecasts 17% growth in business event visitors, to 1,036,300 by year end. MICE earnings will reach RMB 18.83 billion, a 22 per cent increase over 2014 targets.

"We are confident in the prospects for continuing expansion in the China MICE market, and we have redefined key strategies to further drive growth in this segment, targeting high quality corporate customers especially within the corporate meetings and incentive travel sectors, while highlighting stronger collaboration within the exhibitions sector.”

With its strategic location right at the heart of the region, connecting ASEAN and the Greater Mekong Sub-region, Thailand is an ideal springboard for the China MICE market, and is served by a comprehensive infrastructure network, an efficient transportation system and world-class facilities. As a global manufacturing base, Thailand is well positioned to serve demand in key high-growth industries in the region and beyond. Most importantly, Thailand is moving forward with public-private partnerships as driving forces with strategic counterparts, both domestically and internationally.

To highlight some of Bangkok’s top attractions for MICE visitors, TCEB has also teamed up with two more trade bodies, the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA) and Bangkok River Partners (BRP). RSTA represents one of the world’s top 10 retail, hospitality and entertainment precincts in central Bangkok, while Bangkok River Partner (BRP) members represent eight top hotels located along the Chao Phraya River, a prime attraction in the Thai capital. Together, BRP members offer a wealth of facilities for every business event, with 4,152 rooms and suites, 112 meeting rooms, 15 free hotel shuttle boats, 42 restaurants, 20 boat piers, 13 ballrooms, several spas and more.

Elsewhere, outside Bangkok, new destinations are also becoming available throughout Thailand to suit the needs of Chinese MICE visitors. Apart from the country’s 5 dedicated “MICE Cities” TCEB is working to offer Chinese visitors an even wider choice, particularly for meetings and incentive travel.

Commenting on the growth in opportunities for Chinese MICE organizers and business travellers, Mr Nopparat added, "TCEB commits to driving the Thai business events sector by highlighting the capabilities and readiness of five MICE Cities: 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 give Chinese MICE visitors even more choice in organizing their business events, providing discerning business event travellers and organisers alike with unrivalled opportunities to enjoy Thailand's best-kept attractions.”

Located just 205 km northeast of Bangkok, Khao Yai is easily accessible by road. With its pristine natural settings, great variety of accommodation, and diverse recreational attractions, Khao Yai can accommodate a wide variety of corporate meetings, incentives travel, teambuilding activities, and pre- or post-show tours. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in 2014, Khao Yai recorded a total of 3,808,476 Thai travellers and 359,953 overseas visitors.

Special promotion for IBTM China 2015, TCEB prepare Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package, in collaboration with True Corporation PLC, and Bangkok Mass Transit System PLC. The package comprises a special Thailand CONNECT edition BTS Connect SmartPass, and one-hour Free WiFi Trial by TrueMove H, with more than 100,000 True WiFi hotspots around the country. It is aimed at attracting Chinese organisers and Chinese business travellers to participate in MICE activities in Thailand. Moreover, For inbound Event planning meetings, incentive travels, and corporate events will get Special fast-track immigration for 15 VIPs, Exclusive meet and greet at the airport, Souvenirs, Cultural performance and CSR activities

This year Thailand is confirmed as a host to a diverse line-up of confirmed major Chinese Corporate Meetings and Incentive Travel business events in 2015, which include the following:

•    Perfect Marie-Anne Business Seminar, Pattaya, 7 April 2015 (5,300 pax)

•    Infinitus China Overseas Training, Bangkok and Pattaya, 10-26 May 2015 (12,000 pax)

•    Beijng UFC Co. Ltd, Phuket/Khao Lak,    17-22 July 2015 (300 pax)

•    Mary Kay Cosmetics 2015 Rose Trip, Bangkok/Pattaya, August 2015 (700 pax)

•    Amway China, Phuket, 16-20 August (400 pax)

•    Bainianhutu Winery, Phuket, 7-12th September (200 pax)

•    China Life Insurance Chongqing Branch 2015 Incentive Tour, Bangkok/Pattaya, August (1,000 pax)

•    AIA Insurance (China Smart MICE Group), Bangkok, August 2015 (200 pax)

TCEB also recently won eight new bids to host major MICE events in Thailand scheduled until 2018, which will attract more than 5,000 high quality MICE travellers. These are as follows:

•    IEEE CAMA 2015 (IEEE International Conference on Antenna Measurements & Applications)

•    The 14th APacCHRIE Conference 2016

•    The 3rd Asia-Pacific Glaucoma Congress 2016

•    The 11th Asia-Pacific Poultry Congress and Exhibition (APPC 2017)

•    The 10th International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS 2017)

•    The 10th Biennial Scientific Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Pediatric Endocrine Society (APPES 2018)

•    The 23rd UIHJ International Congress Bangkok 2018

•    The 8th International Congress of Asian Society of Toxicology (Asiatox2018).

The wins will complement other upcoming major international festivals and events in Thailand announced by TCEB, which include Photo Bangkok Festival, TBEX Asia 2015, and UFI Open Seminar in Asia 2016.

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For further information, please contact: Corporate Communications Division,

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization)

Ms Arisara Thanuplang    Tel: +66 2 694 6095    Email: arisara_t@tceb.or.th

Mr Pishnu Plaikaew Tel: +66 2 694 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