Thailand rolls out cost effective package for MICE industry

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(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-10-19 17:33

Thailand is offering an alluring package for world business travelers to hold conferences, meetings and exhibitions in Bangkok and Phuket, two popular spots sought after by international tourists.

The "Thailand Maximize" package, unveiled by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) earlier this month, promises "max value", "max rewards" and "max bonus" to all sectors for global meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) industry.

The campaign will highlight three themes: value for money, total peace of mind when traveling and the country's variety of attractions.

For a country that has already enjoyed international fame in tourism, the campaign will further enhance Thailand's stature as a destination of choice for international MICE events.

Marking the official debut of the "Thailand Maximize" campaign, Supawan Teerarat, exhibition director and acting president of TCEB, said, "The MICE industry is of growing importance to Thailand, and the government has been developing its capacity and potential up to global standard."

According to Supawan, despite the global economic downturn, Thailand is expecting to draw 500 overseas business events this year, attracting more than half a million business visitors with an estimated total income of 51 billion Thai baht ($1.52 billion), equivalent to 13 percent of the country's entire tourist earnings.

"Thailand has a number of advantages in hosting MICE events," said Supawan. A business gateway to the ASEAN market, Thailand is already a hub of regional businesses. The country's world-class facilities, convenient transportation and professional management will provide quality services to potential business clients.

Unique Thai culture and world-renowned gracious hospitality will also guarantee a warm welcome, high value and seamless connections when international MICE events choose Thailand.

The "Thailand Maximize" campaign will drive up Bangkok and Phuket as two regional centres for world MICE industry and lead them to global prominence.

One of Asia's most vibrant and exciting cities, Bangkok has events venues that can accommodate up to 70,000 people. Apart from over 100,000 hotel rooms, it has an exhibition space totaling 250,000 square metres. More than 5,000 flights land and take off daily from its brand new airport with operations from 100 of the world's leading airlines across five continents.

In 2008, leading US travel magazine Global World Travelers awarded Bangkok as the Best International Business City of the year.

Dubbed the Pearl of the South, Phuket has been the jewels in Thailand's tourism crown. It boasts the best karst scenery in the world, many of the most beautiful beaches on the planet and a number of internationally renowned resorts. With an international airport operating 500 flights, Phuket provides business event venues that can accommodate up to 16,000 guests.

In 2008, TCEB reported that more than 727,723 visitors came to Thailand for MICE events. The country earned 52,699 million Thai baht from MICE industry, equivalent to 12.6 percent of the country's annual income from the tourism industry.

It is estimated that business travelers joining MICE events spent about 12,500 Thai baht a day in Thailand, or 3 times more than regular tourists. Visitors from China, Singapore, and Japan head the list in terms of the number of arrivals to Thailand in 2007.

The "Thailand Maximize" campaign will be running till September 30, 2010. Visit www.tceb.or.th. for more information.

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