Thai convention to attract more Asean businesses

MANILA, Philippines - The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is out to attract more businesses in Asia, including the Philippines, to take part in its international trade shows as it aims to continue to be the preferred venue for meetings, conventions and exhibitions that promote business opportunities and greater trade.

According to TCEB acting president Thongchai Sridama, the bureau is continuing its promotions in existing markets like the Philippines and other countries in Asia to grow and serve as the destination of choice for trade shows and conventions.

“For 2013, TCEB’s strategy for Thailand will continue to focus on maintaining existing markets as well as expanding new target markets, particularly the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) + 6 markets, which has a very high potential for growth,” he said.

He noted that visitors for Thailand’s meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) reached 895,224 last year, beating the TCEB’s 750,000-target.

“The 2012 figures have exceeded our annual target of 750,000 MICE visitors in 2012, and are a clear vote of confidence in Thailand as a cost-effective MICE destination,” he said. 

Of the total number of MICE visitors, 65 percent were from Asia.

The TCEB said MICE visitors to Thailand were dominated by 10 Asian countries such as the Philippines, India, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

By attracting more businesses from Asia to attend MICE events in Thailand, the TCEB said it could help entrepreneurs find business opportunities for increased trade.

The TCEB aims to empower entrepreneurs by helping them build their competencies and expertise and widen their business networks, enabling them to compete more effectively in the global arena.

By having more businesses participating in its shows, the TCEB also hopes to make its MICE industry more competitive.