THE THAILAND Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has urged the newly-elected Pheu Thai-led coalition government to restore the country’s image as a safe and secure destination.
Following the general election last weekend, the TCEB is hoping that the relatively peaceful political climate in the country will continue, and that barring further crisis, the local MICE industry will be able to sustain a 25-30 per cent annual growth rate from next year onwards.
TCEB president Aksapol Sorasuchart said that the Thai MICE industry had missed out on more than 100 billion baht (US$3.3 billion) in revenue between 2008 and 2010, as the uncertain political environment had affected the confidence of event organisers and travellers to the country.
The TCEB is expecting the local MICE industry to grow by 10-15 per cent this year, with 720,000 foreign MICE visitors and 57 billion baht in revenue.
By Sirima Eamtako
