BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Thailand is ranked as one of the world's best MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions) destinations, which generated over 1.2 trillion baht over the last eight years, according to Jirut Issarangkul Na Ayudhaya, president of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
His remarks came after several international organisations praised the country as one of the top destinations for organising meetings and exhibitions.
Thailand is ranked sixth in the Asia Pacific region in the 2023 Country and City Rankings by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), up from seventh in 2022. The country also ranked 26th in the world, up six spots from 32nd the previous year.
Meanwhile, M&C Asia, a Singapore-based MICE media company, awarded Thailand the Stella Award in the category “Best MI destination in Asia 2023”. Between 2021 and 2023, the country won the award for three consecutive years. The kingdom was also voted Asia's top convention and tourism destination.
Furthermore, according to the most recent CVENT Top Lists 2024, Bangkok and Phuket are among the top 10 Asian Pacific destinations, with Bangkok ranking second and Phuket ranking ninth.
CVENT is one of the world's largest software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers of meeting, event, and hospitality solutions. Its top list was compiled based on sourcing activities conducted via the Cvent Supplier Network.
According to the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry report, Thailand was ranked first in the ASEAN region for exhibition space in 2022, up from second in 2021. Within a year, the country advanced from eighth to fourth place in Asia.
Noting that Thailand's MICE industry has grown to become one of the top destinations for business events, Jirut pointed out that the industry now plays an important role in stimulating the Thai economy.
According to the TCEB, the MICE industry generated 1.24 trillion baht in spending that circulated throughout the country's economic system from 2015-23. It also contributed 963 billion baht to Thailand’s economic growth and 118.421 billion baht in tax revenue, while creating 844,750 new jobs.
The TCEB announced earlier this year that it aimed to attract at least 23.1 million MICE visitors in fiscal year 2024, generating 136 billion baht, or 75% of the revenue recorded in 2019, preceding the pandemic.
The target is positive, as the bureau has seen a steady recovery thanks to Thailand's "bamboo diplomacy" policy, which allows all MICE travellers from any country to visit Thailand, according to the TCEB. - The Nation Thailand/ANN
