BANGKOK: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB is prioritizing development of the Asian MICE market. The first of three TCEB road shows scheduled in Asia will focus on three fast-growing Indian cities: Combiatore, Mangalore and Pune, providing a platform to present the latest MICE information, products and services to India's business community. The road show will also offer a unique opportunity for Indian organizations and MICE operators to build new business alliances and partnerships. India is projected to become Thailand's most important MICE market, with earnings in 2013 expected to reach over US$ 1.83 billion.

Mr. Thongchai Sridama, TCEB's Acting President announced that "TCEB's current focus is on the short-haul market, comprising Asia and the ASEAN+6 countries, in line with our preparations for the establishment of the AEC in 2015. In line with buoyant economic growth in the region, Asia is developing as Thailand's most important MICE market; in 2012 Thailand welcomed over 480,000 MICE visitors, 65% of whom came from within Asia. Our most important Asian markets are India, mainland China, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, respectively.

"In 2012 India was Thailand's largest MICE market. TCEB's marketing strategy, which targeted Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, resulted in more than 39,000 MICE visitors from India to Thailand.  This year we are extending our marketing program to cover 3 more major cities: Coimbatore, Mangalore and Pune, which are ranked highest in the country in terms of economic growth. The dynamic business and industrial growth in these cities offers tremendous potential for meetings and incentive travel."

Coimbatore's dynamic automotive parts and textile industries have firmly established Tamil Nadu's second largest city as one of India's economic powerhouses, whilst the cities of Mangalore and Pune are both centres of excellence for the auto industry. Companies from around the world have invested in manufacturing facilities, including Mercedes Benz, Ford, Daimler Chrysler and Tata. These cities also host a thriving machine tools industry as well as a rapidly-growing IT and software development sector. Moreover, the city of Pune hosts the Rajiv Gandhi IT Park, Magarpatta Cybercity and the MIDC Software Technology Park.

In relation to TCEB's Strategic marketing plan, Mr. Thongchai added, "This TCEB road show aims to build awareness within India of Thailand's potential as a cost-effective destination for corporate meetings at all scales. The road show has been organized jointly with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways International Company Limited. Together, we have brought 11 of Thailand's top MICE operators to showcase their latest MICE products and services to 152 potential corporate buyers in Coimbatore, Mangalore and Pune. During the road show, TCEB will be offering attractive promotional campaigns including subsidies of up to US$ 33,000 for corporate clients holding events of over 3 days with over 1,000 delegates.

"TCEB's second program, the 'Step-by-step Campaign' aims to encourage regular Indian MICE events with over 1,000 delegates to return to Thailand for at least three consecutive years. The campaign focuses on 5 strategic business areas in the Indian market: direct sales, and the automotive, pharmaceuticals, finance, banking and insurance sectors. To accommodate projected demand from India, TCEB has allocated an extra annual budget for 2013 to 2015 to support these two campaigns; for events to be eligible, delegate numbers must increase by at least 10% per year for each event.

"We expect this road show to result in approximately 24,500 MICE visitors to Thailand from these three cities, generating revenues of US$ 70 million. Moreover, we also plan to extend our promotional activities to include road shows to some other Indian cities including Bangalore and Hyderabad. Corporate clients will be invited to directly experience Thailand's MICE opportunities for themselves through our Connection Plus campaign. Indian MICE groups already confirmed for this year include Amway, which will hold its 15th Anniversary 2nd Generation Business Trip in Pattaya, with an expected 3,500 delegates.

"Overall, in 2013 TCEB expects to see 792,000 MICE arrivals in Thailand, with revenues exceeding  US$ 2.1 billion.  From this total, the meetings industry is expected to account for 704,000 visitors, with revenues of US$ 1.83 billion. The Indian MICE market is expected to see annual growth of 5 percent per year, with around 41,000 visitors to Thailand in 2013," concluded Mr. Thongchai.

www.tceb.or.th

For more information please contact;

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau

Ms. Arisara Thanuplang
Tel: +662-694-6095
arisara_t@tceb.or.th 

Ms. Atichit Akkarakittikul
Tel: +662-694-6000 Ext. 6112
atichit_a@tceb.or.th  

SOURCE Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau