International MICE markets show confidence in Thailand

11.04.2022

Forty-three MICE entrepreneurs from 15 markets, who visited Thailand as part of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)’s first familiarisation trip after a two-year pause, expressed their confidence in Thailand and the seven-day trip produced 57 leads with a business value estimated at 1,900 million baht.

Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president of TCEB, said the 2022 Thailand MICE familiarisation trip was a clear reflection of Thailand’s readiness to host face-to-face international business events again following the success in pandemic control and the increased normalisation of international travel. The trip participants were MICE agents, event planners, meeting planners, corporate buyers and professional conference organisers (PCOs) from 15 markets – Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, the UK, and the USA.

“We are expecting a strong rebound in Thailand’s meeting and incentive sectors in the short term, followed by a broader-based recovery in the medium term. This is mainly because of our preparedness and readiness developed during the pandemic. Our MICE community has moved forward to providing better products and services and, of course, hygiene standard. We believe visitors to Thailand this year will find the experience extraordinarily rewarding.”
This familiarisation trip also demonstrated how Thailand can now help organisers meet their sustainability requirements. All activities during the trip were conducted with sustainable event management in mind. The total reduction of CO2 emissions for the trip amounted to 6,603.19 kgCO2e, which is equivalent to planting 400 trees. Selected materials from the farewell party such as fabric for stage performance and backdrop decoration have also been retained for reuse.

Throughout the trip, TCEB was able to schedule meetings between participants and Thai suppliers. The meetings with international convention centres and hotels generated six leads, which are worth an estimated 919 million baht of revenue and comprise 14,600 travellers. The meeting and incentive segment generated 51 leads, with an estimated 15,580 travellers and 981 million of revenue. The sum total of potential revenue is 1,900 million baht.