FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS TO PLACE THAILAND A TRUE “KINGDOM OF BLEISURE”

16 August 2017, Pattaya: Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organisation) casts a spotlight on the new MICE landscape, Pattaya – Hua Hin – Bangkok, underpinned by the upcoming developments under Thailand 4.0 economic policy which include the improvement of connectivity, the mega infrastructures, along with the incentives to enhance new investments in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).  The initiatives are expected to magnify the recognition of each established ‘Bleisure’ destinations, while the bureau foresees a great potential in the growth of MICE and the income distribution which to drive MICE into a key sector in developing the country.

Mrs. Supawan Teerarat, Vice President of TCEB’s Strategic and Business Development, said that Thailand is moving forward in all area of development to steer the national economy to Thailand 4.0 era. The government encourages public and private partnership along the economic transition with policies that enhance new business environment, the innovation, as well as the promotion of hard and soft infrastructure. Thailand 4.0 inspires and encourages business activities and this, in turn, makes the country a venue for meetings linked to trade development, technology and research. The uplift of the country’s economy will directly benefit MICE industry.  

“TCEB maps our strategies in line with the country’s economic blueprint. By enhancing MICE as a driving force behind the economic growth, we connect the international business community including Thailand 4.0 targeted industrial segments, through diverse strategic approaches. Our latest international communication campaign showcases the country’s fundamental pillars of MICE industry include Myriad Business Opportunities, Diverse Destinations, and the People of Thailand, which is a perfect mix that makes Thailand the leading destination for the Bleisure travellers.

Conveniently linked with Pattaya by a two-hour ferry ride via the Gulf of Thailand, and two and a half hours drive from Bangkok, Hua Hin - the royal heritage beach resort town traces its aristocratic roots to 1920s when royal summer residences established in the area. Today, Hua Hin is home to luxury hotel chains. The town is popular with Thai and foreigners as business events destination that can cater for exclusive and luxury activities with the heritage theme. In addition, the destination features numerous world-class golfing resorts, spas, outstanding seafood restaurants, and a vibrant night market.

The southern gateway city is expected to see a development of high-speed train route, 211 km from Bangkok in the near future. The five years construction project, worth 94.67 billion baht (USD 2,704 million), is being assessed for feasibility.  

Bangkok - the quintessential Asian metropolis, offers anything Bleisure travellers could desire. The Thai capital city is a hub for Thailand’s MICE industry with abundant choices of world-class conventions and meeting venues, accommodations, shopping centres, fine dining and entertainment options. The city is expanding its development of an urban rail transit network serving the Greater Bangkok area. An improvement of the mass transit system will offer visitors an efficient transportation as well as layers of economic benefits to further strengthening the county’s MICE hub. Also, the new development of Siam Synergy, with a collaboration of property in Siam District, will further strengthen Bangkok as a key strategic economic, commercial hub and one of the world’s most comprehensive and diverse lifestyle centres.

 “Derived from TCEB’s brand communication campaign, we present ideas for the Bleisure route and theme meetings which are all possible for MICE events in these cities. Combining the three destinations, we introduce aspects of the Thai journey through luxury, cultural, culinary, and CSR experiences to show that Thailand can transform ordinary business events into a memorable and endearing success”, added Mrs. Supawan.

For the IMFT2017, TCEB has been working closely with EEC and its strategic partners namely Airport Authority of Thailand (AOT) and the Thai Airways International (THAI) to emphasise and expand opportunities for the MICE business in the Thai Bleisure destinations.

Dr.Cholachit Vorawangso Virakul, Executive Director of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand, said that IMFT2017 reinforces the collaboration between EEC and TCEB. The event provides opportunity for EEC to share information about the special economic hub, which is a flagship project under Thailand’s 20-Year National Strategy and Thailand 4.0 Policy, to overseas MICE and travel trade media. The key focus areas include: 1) the development plan; 2) the investment of basic infrastructure within the EEC to serve the growth of industrial sector which includes the establishment of eco-cities following the “Smart City” model that will generate a benefit for MICE industry in the future; and 3) the network enhancement with TCEB and MICE industry to showcase Thailand’s economic development to the international business community.

Mr. Sirote Duangratana, General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport said that The Airports of Thailand Public Company limited (AOT) is a leader of Thailand’s airport business operator where its main business lines are managing, operating, and developing airports.  Presently, AOT has 6 international airports under responsibility: Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai and Suvarnabhumi, all of which accommodate both domestic and international flights. AOT aims to achieve excellence in its operations by emphasizing the development of service quality, personnel capabilities and the improvement of information technology systems that respond to the dynamic changes. AOT also places great importance on Corporate Social Responsibility and Environment in line with international standards. This will serve as a guideline for sustainable development, thus enhancing the confidence and satisfaction of airport users under the motto “Safety and Service are our priorities”

Mrs.Usanee Sangsingkeo, Executive Vice President, Commercial Acting President of Thai Airways International Public Company limited said that “The national carrier of the Kingdom of Thailand, THAI, and has a fleet of 96 aircraft, serving 76 destinations or 77 airports in 32 countries. THAI currently operates an average of 1,086 roundtrip flights per week on domestic, regional and intercontinental routes in Europe, Asia, and Australia. In addition, THAI will launch flights to Vienna as the newest destination in Europe in November 2017. Over the past 57 years, THAI has received countless international awards in recognition of excellent products and services as one of the world’s most admired carriers in research carried out by leading travel magazines and passenger surveys.  

TCEB’s role is to push MICE industry to drive the country towards stability, prosperity and sustainability to be competitive. The results of a study on economic impact in 2015 show that the Thai MICE industry helped generate total expenditure of 220 billion baht (USD 6,285 million) for the country's economy, while generating 164,427 jobs, and benefitting industry networking, and generating tax revenue of 10,400 million baht. (USD 297.1 million)

“Last year, Thailand’s MICE industry received positive news from leading international associations. The International Congress and Convention Association, or ICCA, placed Thailand as having hosted 174 events, ranking Thailand 24th, an improvement from 27th in 2015, with Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya ranking higher than the previous year as well. In terms of exhibitions, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, or UFI, ranked Thailand the number 1 among ASEAN nations in terms of exhibition space sold over the past 5 years (2011-2015)” said Mrs. Supawan

TCEB expects that in the 2017 budget year (October 2016-September2017), there will be a total 1,109,000 international MICE visitors generating revenue of 101 billion baht (USD 2,885.7 million). Additionally, we will be able to meet the target of driving the MICE industry to be a key player in creating prosperity, distributing income to the regions through the MICE industry, and creating strength and sustainability for the economy of the country. In 2017, Thailand is preparing to host of several important international conferences, such as 2017 PCMA Global Professional Conference – Asia Pacific, between 28th – 31st August in Bangkok, UIA’s Associations Roundtable Asia-Pacific 2017, between 21st – 22nd September in Chiang Mai, IT&CM Asia & CTW Asia Pacific 2017, 26th – 28th September in Bangkok, which is an important trade show for Asia that Thailand will be hosting for the 16th time, SIGGRAPH Asia 2017, between 27th – 30th November in Bangkok, which is a world-class seminar and exhibition on computer graphics and animation, Metalex 2017, between 22th-25th November in Bangkok, which is ASEAN's largest international machine tool and metalworking technology trade exhibition and conference. Additionally, in 2019, Thailand has won the rights to host global event: SITE Global Conference 2019, which is the international conference of organisations in incenti