Thailand makes big effort to lure business travelers

Thailand has always enjoyed great popularity among Chinese tourists, and the country is now striving to attract more meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions (MICE) visitors from China.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau revealed a series of favorable policies at a forum in Beijing in late April.

The bureau will offer special business prematching service for different visitors and every professional visitor can get $100 after finishing three business negotiations.

MICE event sponsor will provide two-night free accommodation to key international buyers.

The Thai government will also provide business tour services by ensuring efficient custom and logistics services.

The additional perks were offered to woo potential Chinese MICE guests.

"Thailand has transformed itself into a core bridge connecting ASEAN and the global market," says Jaruwan Suwannasat, director of the Thai bureau, adding that the Thai government has given great support to infrastructure construction and expansion.

China's MICE visitors to Thailand have ranked first in numbers over the years and this sector is now growing at an annual rate of 10 percent, according to Suwannasat.

Last year, both country's bilateral trade hit $64.8 billion.

"We've seen huge potential in China's exhibition and convention market and would like to attract more auto parts, medical and energy visitors," she says.

The brisk export market in Thailand is behind the strong exhibition industry, Suwannasat explains.

Tourism has also complemented the industry by helping extend the stay of MICE visitors.

Local authority has launched a program to mix business with pleasure for them over the years.

Usually MICE visitors stay for two nights for business and then get a third night covered by sponsors.

They can spend the extra day treating their friends, going golfing and touring local factories, Suwannasat adds.

Shopping, spa and golf coupons and transportation information are likely to be added to the bureau's official WeChat account in future to draw in Chinese MICE guests.

The country held 103 trade exhibitions in 2015 and is expected to draw in 189,000 professional international visitors and rake in $495 million in 2016.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau is expecting that in the fiscal year 2016, the number of international business travelers to Thailand will increase by 5 percent to 1.06 million, and MICE guests will help to bring in around 92 billion baht ($2.6 billion).