TCEB SET UP ‘The Action ROOM’ TO FACILITATE MICE ORGANISERS, CONFIRMING NO CANCELLATION FOR MICE EVENTS DURING AUGUST – OCTOBER 2015

Bangkok, 19 August 2015: The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB has set up ‘the action room’ to facilitate MICE organisers and visitors while a TCEB Information Centre has been opened at Suvannabhumi Airport to assist MICE travellers. The Bureau reaffirms all MICE events scheduled to be held in Thailand during August – October 2015 remain unaffected by the explosion incident in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong Intersection, and announces the positive growth on both MICE visitor numbers and revenue in the first three quarters the 2015 fiscal year.

Mr Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, TCEB’s President, said that “In response to the explosion incident in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong Intersection, TCEB has set up the action room to facilitate all MICE organisers, reiterating our support and building confidence. Meanwhile, a TCEB Information Centre has been opened at Suvannabhumi Airport to coordinate and assist all MICE travellers scheduled to travel to Thailand between now and October. There is no cancellation or postponement of events scheduled to be held in Thailand during this time.”

During August – October 2015, there are a total of 72 confirmed MICE events with 76,608 delegates and approximate revenue of 6,600 million baht. Highlight events include:

•    46th World Congress of Surgery 2015, 23-27 August, for 2,000 delegates

•    FDI Annual World Dental Congress 2015, 22-25 September, for 9,300 delegates

•    TBEX Asia 2015, 14-18 October, for 900 delegates

•    One Young World 2015, 18-21 November, for 2,000 delegates

Thailand’s MICE industry performance showed satisfactory results due to positive growth in the number of MICE visitors and revenue in the first three quarters of the 2015 fiscal year, from October 2014 to June 2015, when compared to the same period in the previous year. Thailand welcomed a total of 726,280 high quality business events travellers (7.84% growth), generating 63,714 million baht (up 8.69%) in the first three quarters of the 2015 fiscal year. The top contributors during this period were China, Singapore, India, Malaysia, USA, Laos, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, and the Philippines. Looking ahead, TCEB expects Thailand to welcome 1,036,300 business events travellers, earning to the Thai economy 106,780 million baht revenue.

Mr Nopparat added that, “TCEB has prepared a three-phase strategy in response to the tragic incident. In the short-term, during August-October 2015, we have set up a special war room to coordinate directly with all MICE organisers to confirm the events and opened a TCEB Information Centre at Suvannabhumi Airport to facilitate MICE organisers and visitors, providing a five-point VIP arrival immigration service or MICE Lane. TCEB will also communicate regularly and timely with MICE organsiers and visitors from around the world through regular updates of the current situation.

The mid- and long-term strategies will place emphasis on restoring the confidence through marketing and communication activities to create understanding among the target market and to encourage both the international media and MICE clients to visit Thailand for a first-hand experience. This will help portray the true image of Thailand as a peaceful country and highlight the capabilities and readiness of our world-class accommodation and MICE facilities, enriched by efficient infrastructure and transport links, in hosting international MICE events.

“We strongly believe that creating understanding among the target market forms pivotal mission to restore the confidence and allow MICE visitors to make informed decision on the current situation. To realise our three-phase strategy, TCEB will collaborate closely with partners in the Thai MICE industry, and we are confident that Thailand remains the top destination for MICE travellers,” Mr Nopparat concluded.

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For more information, please contact Corporate Communications Division,

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization)

Ms Arisara Thanuplang Tel: +66 2 694 6095 Email: arisara_t@tceb.or.th

Ms Kanokwan Kadeedang Tel: +66 2 694 6006 Email: kanokwan_k@tceb.or.th

Ms Kwanchanok Otton Tel: +66 2 694 6096 Email: kwanchanok_o@tceb.or.th