TCEB highlights Thailand in bid to attract more international conferences

TCEB unveiled recent statistics indicating that Thailand’s conventions sector continues to grow with rising numbers of conferences in broader areas such as technologies and startups following trends in the global business. The bureau also reported that Thailand is ranked No. 1 destination in ASEAN for hosting largest numbers of conferences according to a recent international ranking conducted by ICCA. These results underscored Thailand as a leading destination for business events trusted by international associations while TCEB emphasised that the bureau will continue to prompt the Thai industries to host more international conventions.

Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, said that conventions sector contributes more than 30% of the revenue to Thailand’s MICE industry. This sector has been rising continuously. In the first quarter of the fiscal year 2019 (October 2018 – December 2019), there were 70,000 business travellers in the conventions sector generating 5.5 billion baht in revenue to the country. Meanwhile, conferences held in Thailand trend to cover broader fields following global trends such as technologies and startups. Currently, the average expenditure in the convention sector stood at 80,000 baht per traveller per trip. With the fact that each conventions bidding takes around 3-7 years of works prepared in advance, TCEB has outlined proactive strategies to enhance partnership with membership organisations such as professional associations, non-profit organisations, educational institutions, and entrepreneurs. The focus is on key industries which comply with the Thai government’s national policy.

Meanwhile, according to an international ranking conducted by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), in 2017, Thailand is ranked the 1^st place in ASEAN and 25^th place in the world when considering numbers of international conventions hosted in the country, followed by Singapore with 160 conventions, and Malaysia with 112 conventions. The ranking well reflects Thailand’s readiness in many aspects including international venue standards, excellent services, warm hospitality, and service providers’ professionalism.  Also, the destination is also famous for the charm of Thai cuisine and impressive event themes.

In March this year, there are eight international conferences taking place in Thailand including leading conferences in medical, energy and electricity, financial, as well as creative and advertising industries.  Highlights of the international conferences are such as the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress (APAO 2019). The event takes place in Thailand during March 6-9, 2019, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC). Co-hosted by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand (RCOPT), the event is recognised as the region’s preeminent meeting for ophthalmologists and visual scientists. Thailand has been honoured to host the APAO Congress for the third time and witnessed the rising numbers of delegates every year. It is expected that this year, the APAO in Thailand will attract more than 5,000 delegates and generate at least 440 million baht in revenue to the country. RCOPT encourages ophthalmologists and medical residencies to attend the APAO 2019 and present their researches at the conference.

The IEEE PES GTD ASIA 2019 takes place in Thailand during March 19-23, 2019, at Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC). Organised by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (Thailand Section), the event comprises of international conference and exhibition related to all engineering and technological fields in power generation, transmission and distribution, and renewable energy. Held in the US for the past 40 years, Thailand is the first country in Asia to host this event outside the US.  It is expected that the IEEE PES GTD ASIA 2019 will attract more than 400 exhibitors and 3,000 international delegates with 240 million baht in revenue expected to generate to the country.

“Each year, there are approximately 300,000 international delegates attend conventions in Thailand, generating 25 billion baht in revenue to the country. TCEB offers support to more than 100 conventions held by international and domestic associations, including support for 30 bids to attract those conventions to take place in the country.” added Mr. Chiruit.

www.tceb.or.th