ASIA - The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has unveiled what it is calling an “ambitious” US$30m three-year plan, focusing on “mega-events” from key Asian and ASEAN+6 markets.
ASEAN+6 is the term for the region that encompasses the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region plus China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
The plan includes the launch of an ASEAN Visitors Promotion Campaign. Thailand’s exhibition, conference and meetings industry is a significant conduit for ASEAN economies, tasked with boosting business opportunities both at home and abroad.
TCEB expects the industry to generate revenues of US$6bn (THB180bn) in the coming three years.
For the past 11 years, Thailand has hosted the IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific event, the region’s largest international trade show for the conference and incentive travel industry. This year’s event was held on 2-4 October at the Bangkok Convention Centre, Central World, Bangkok.
Ms Vichaya Soonthornsaratoon, acting director of TCEB’s meetings industry department said the organisation’s approach to stimulating the market in 2013 will focus on driving Thailand’s meetings industry in line with the government’s ‘Modern Thailand’ policy.
“As we gear up to the unified market of the AEC in 2015, I am confident that our increasing focus on short-haul markets in Asia and the ASEAN+6 countries will pay dividends due to expected strong economic growth in this region, high purchasing power and Thailand’s strategic location,” she said.
“All these factors translate into a huge potential for Thailand’s MICE industry, which has shown robust and continuous growth in recent years. In terms of MICE visitors to Thailand, the top five key Asian markets have been India, China, Singapore, Japan and South Korea, whilst Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Australia have considerable potential for growth.”
TCEB also hopes to sustain Thailand’s existing long-haul markets in USA and Europe, with particular attention on Germany, UK, France and the Russian Federation.
TCEB previously confirmed it was looking to establish new business contracts in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
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