THAILAND has secured the rights to host 26 international conventions up until 2016, with about 30,000 delegates due to attend. The wins were generated over the period November 2009 till July this year, according to the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
Among the newest wins are the 5,000-pax Million Dollar Round Table Experience for life insurance and financial service professionals in February 2012, and the 3,000-pax International Congress on Infectious Diseases in June next year.
The latest and largest win by far is the 4,500-pax International Congress of the Transplant Society in 2016.
The wins are on top of 16 events with some 66,600 delegates already penciled in from 2010-2012, including the much-anticipated Convention of Rotary International for some 30,000 delegates in May next year.
Destination Asia (Thailand) managing director, Pornthip Hirunkate, said the resurgent conventions figures demonstrated the return of market confidence in Thailand following last year’s political crisis.
TCEB president Akapol Sorasuchart said despite the positive outlook, the Thai MICE bureau would continue to be aggressive with its financial support,
Akapol revealed that TCEB had adjusted its financing strategy to be more proactive on a case-by-case basis in Asian markets with high growth potential.
Akapol identified China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines as key markets, as well as South Korea and Japan. For the European market, TCEB will strive to maintain presence, he said.
By Sirima Eamtako
