TCEB (Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau) as the Thai government’s official flagship body for the MICE sector, a core part of TCEB’s mission is to offer support to premier events such as this. In the fiscal year of 2014 (October 2013-September 2014), Thailand welcomed about 920,000 overseas MICE visitors generating total revenue of £1.59 billion or €1.99 billion. As a top 10 source market contributing to the vibrancy of Thailand’s business events industry, during the first three quarter of 2014 fiscal year, the UK & Europe markets continue to show significant growth both in terms of visitor number and revenue.

The number of UK business events travelers to Thailand rose 84% to 15,262 in first three quarter of 2014 fiscal year, compared to same period of 2013 fiscal year. Over the same period, business events revenues were up 108% to £31 million or €38.79 million.

The number of European mainland business events travelers to Thailand rose by 5% to reach 83,157 in Q1-3 of 2014, compared to same period 2013. Revenues have risen 8% to £156.7 million or € 195.9 million.

IN 2015, TCEB forecasts that the launch of market initiatives will enable Thailand to welcome 1,036,300 business events visitors (a 17 per cent increase from 2014 targets), earning the Thai economy a total of £2.13 billion or €2.67 billion. (a 22 per cent increase from 2014 targets).
The strategic direction to promote Thailand’s MICE industry in 2015 is in response to the government policy of reinforcing international confidence in Thailand, and especially boosting the vibrancy of the country’s MICE industry, which helps connect business events to global success.

Mrs. Supawan Teerarat, VICE President Strategic and Business Development, TCEB present the new Thailand brand communication campaign “Thailand CONNECT the World”
Under “Thailand CONNECT the World”, there are the key drivers through destinations, business, and people.

First: DESTINATIONS

The perfect business event starts with dream destinations, and together with local activities, enable us to offer the world’s most desired happy hours for business events in any season, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

As a connectivity capital, Thailand provides Wireless Business Events by using first-class communication technology from the moment you board your flight until your final destination.

As ‘The World’s Most Amendable & Delightful Destination’ delegates can choose to ‘DIY’, or ‘Do the Itinerary Yourself’, with key MICE cities featuring cultural and natural attractions from beaches, to forests, to temples or authentic Thai cuisine, there is always something to enjoy.

Second: BUSINESS

As the world’s biggest marketplace of opportunities, Thailand excels in utilising regional integration to offer stakeholders global opportunities.

Frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership help to achieve stable and sustainable business events industry growth, while as a world leader in key industries such as automotive, electronics, food gems and more, your next potential business partner is never far away.

Thailand is home to world-leading international government and non-profit organisations, and host of many intergovernmental conferences, summits and conferences.

Third: PEOPLE

Thailand, we do MICE business with, ‘can do’ attitude backed up by a strong Public-Private Partnership Programme and proactive Business Alliances such as the Chao Praya Hotel Alliance and Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association. All this is supported by a nationally-consistent, innovative MICE curriculum – so your MICE event staff are not only a pleasure to deal with, but valued partners in your success.

And other upcoming highlight events which will underscore the relevance of TCEB’s goal and support the growth of Thailand MICE Industry are Unicity Global Convention 2014 / One Young World Summit 2015 and more.

In term of exhibition, the key highlight events such as INTERMACH Propak Asia and Metalex and also hosted IT&CMA and CTW Asia Pacific since 2004. Moreover, TCEB won new events for instance Harmony World Puppet Carnival Bangkok 2014, International Balloon Festival 2014 and Sustainable Brand Event 2015.

At the “Thailand CONNECT the World: London Business Events Road Show 2014”, Whether for meetings or incentives – or indeed conventions or exhibitions – TCEB is focused on highlighting Thailand’s key strengths for business travelers. What’s more, the special market promotion packages under our Thailand CONNECT the World campaign make Thailand an even more attractive destination for Europe and UK business travelers groups.

TCEB has a promotion especially for long haul markets including the UK and Europe which is called the Meeting Bonus financial subsidy campaign, the organisers of corporate meetings and incentive travels groups of only 100 or more delegates, spending minimum of three nights in Thailand will be eligible for the financial support of approximately £2,000 or € 2,500.

The current government recognises the importance of tourism and MICE industry. It has accordingly placed tourism high on the national agenda. In 2013, Europe remained the second largest visitor source market for Thailand. Europe contributed a total of 6.3 million travelers, representing a 11.6 per cent increase over 2012. Of that, just over 906,000 visitors were from the UK. A total of 744,000 travelers were from Germany and 614,000 were from France.

Thailand is also the preferred destination among UK and European MICE travelers and events planners. TCEB statistics show that the UK is largest MICE source market from Europe for Thailand.

In the 2013 fiscal year, Thailand recorded a total of 101,976 MICE visitors from Europe and 13,578 MICE visitors from the UK. In the first three quarters of the 2014 fiscal year, Thailand already welcomed 83,157 MICE visitors from Europe and 15,262 MICE visitors from the UK.

Thailand’s reputation as the preferred destination among UK and European travelers is evident by many recent awards and accolades, including “the most popular tourist destination in Asia” 2014 award conferred by the German travel industry group, Go Asia.