TCEB ENHANCES THAILAND’S LEADERSHIP POSITION AS PREMIER MICE DESTINATION IN CHINESE MARKET

Shanghai / 7 April 2016 – The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), or TCEB, today unveiled a specially-designed ‘Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package 2016’ offering to raise awareness of the Thai MICE industry’s capabilities to host world-class events while enhancing the Kingdom’s leadership position as a premiere destination at the heart of the fast-growing ASEAN region for MICE travellers from China, which is the kingdom’s No. 1 source market.

Ms Parichat Svetasreni, Director of Marketing and Corporate Image Department of TCEB, said that “TCEB, as the Thai Government’s flagship body established to support the Thai MICE Industry, is pleased to take part in one of China’s important MICE trade events, the IT&CM China 2016, and would like to use the occasion to present our promotion specially-packaged for Chinese MICE travellers. This significant trade show also serves as the ideal platform for us to strengthen the presence of Thailand’s endless choice of business destinations, global standards of service, and diverse business opportunities among the MICE market in China.”

With Thailand’s long-standing geographical advantage as the centre of ASEAN and the region’s hub for connectivity, the country’s MICE industry has enjoyed a significant role in contributing revenue to the Thai economy. In the fiscal year 2015 – from October 2014 to September 2015, Thailand attracted 1,095,995 business events visitors, generating revenue of 95,857 million baht (US$2,691.89 million / RMB 17,406.40 million). Of these, a total of 109,987 were Chinese MICE travellers, contributing 9,197.65 million baht (US$258.29 / RMB1,670.17 million), making China the largest MICE market for Thailand.

Underlining the strategy to ensure Thailand’s leadership position as a premiere destination at the heart of the fast-growing ASEAN region for MICE travellers from China, TCEB has launched the phase II of its Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package that runs from February – December 2016. This global support is specially designed to provide MICE travellers with the essentials to ‘connect’ businesses in Thailand under the country’s three fundamental pillars for the MICE industry, namely destination, business, and people.

The special privileges that will be extended to MICE travellers attending events in Thailand in 2016 include, under the ‘destination’ aspect, a Thailand CONNECT edition BTS pass with start-up valued of 100 baht and a Bangkok MICE Map that covers five major MICE venues and key attractions in Bangkok including the Ratchaprasong areas.

On the ‘business’ side, the offers are a Thailand CONNECT USB drive card, a seven-day Free WiFi usage, and a Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package: Ratchaprasong District card plus a guidebook on discounts offered by product and service providers in the Ratchaprasong district. Last but not least, a Thailand CONNECT: useful and simple Thai phrases card is designed to help international MICE travellers connect easily with the ‘people’ of Thailand.

“The ‘Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package 2016’ forms part of this year TCEB’s marketing initiatives including the Thailand CONNECT, Our Heart…Your World strategy, designed to help Thailand reach is goal of five percent growth in MICE visitor numbers and revenue in 2016,” Ms Parichat concluded.

Confirming its leadership position as a preferred business events destination in Asia, TCEB also announced that Thailand did play host to a diverse line-up of confirmed major business events in fiscal year 2016 (October 2015-September 2016), the Organo Gold Asia Convention 2015, the 28th World Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) Council 2015, One Young World, Exporail South East Asia 2016.

Thailand’s thriving MICE industry has attracted a host of important events from China, including Bravolinks Integrated Marketing Co. Ltd (March 2016) Beijing Piptide Biological Technology Co. Ltd. (May 2016) Jimei Pharmaceutic (April 2016) Renyuan Group (April 2016) NCK Cosmetics (July 2016) Sunwins International (May 2016) doTERRA China (May 2016) Infinitus China (May 2016).

“We are confident that through a combination of the ‘Thailand CONNECT…Our Heart, Your World’ campaign, as well as targeted initiatives such as the ‘Thailand CONNECT Welcome Package 2016’, the Thai business events sector will continue to grow strongly in 2016, enabling us to achieve our goal of welcoming 1,060,000 business travellers, and generating 92,000 million baht (US$ 2,583.58 million / RMB 16,706.01 million).for the Thai economy,” Ms Parichat concluded.

Visitors to IT&CM China 2016 can learn more about TCEB’s special offerings at stand B8, while meeting a range of Thailand’s leading business events entrepreneurs – from more than 14 hotels and venues, to destination management companies. And TCEB also organizes a sales promotion activity in China P.R.C., titled “Thailand MICE Roadshow in China 2016” aiming to strengthen business relationships among potential partners in MICE industry between Thailand and China P.R.C. This event is scheduled to take place at Four Seasons Hotel, Shenzhen, and Grand Hyatt Hotel, Chengdu during 12 and 14 April 2016, respectively.

# # #

About TCEB

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB takes the lead on behalf of the Thai government in the development and success of Thailand’s MICE sector. Established in 2004, TCEB works to drive growth, elevate quality standards and inspire creativity in the industry. TCEB offers a range of advisory services and attractive support packages to contribute to the success and productivity of business events held in Thailand. This includes global outreach to build collaboration across a global network of MICE players. TCEB strives to create new business opportunities and lay the foundations for long term, sustainable industry growth.

For more information please contact:

Corporate Communications Division, Marketing and Corporate Image Department

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organisation)

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

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

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

Ms Paniyada Mulalin    Executive    Tel +66 2 694 6091    Email: paniyada_m@tceb.or.th