TCEB to Showcase Chiang Rai as a new ideal MICE destination for China

On September 8， Thailand Convention Exhibition Bureau（TCEB） is to put Bangkok and Chiang Rai under the spotlight as excellent locations offering unique experiences for business events at IBTM CHINA 2016， China’s leading Incentives， Business Travel and Meetings Expo， which takes place in Beijing on September 7-8， 2016.

“The IBTM China is a fantastic opportunity to ensure top-level buyers in China， Asia and the rest of the world recognize Thailand as a center for global MICE events in Asia. At this year’s event， TCEB will underline the latest developments in Bangkok， which spearheads world-class products and services for the business events. For its part， Chiang Rai will be highlighted as a perfect new destination for the China market，” said TCEB’s President Mr. Nopparat Maythaveekulchai.

China is one of key MICE markets for Thailand and is continuing to grow. The bureau has therefore put in place a proactive strategy to enhance Thailand as a premier business events destination for Chinese business travellers. In 2015 fiscal year （October 2014 - September 2015）， TCEB has welcomed 1，095，995 business event travelers， revenue of 18，193 billion yuan （US$2，756 million） China was the biggest market for Thailand’s MICE industry with a total of 109，987 business event travellers generating 1，745 million yuan （US$264 million） to Thailand， followed by India， Singapore， Malaysia， USA. In the first three quarters of 2016 fiscal year （October 2015 – June 2016）， Thailand welcomed 750，742 international business events travellers， generating more than 11，498 billion yuan （US$1，745 billion） in revenue. China remained in top rank spot with more than 89，000 business travellers.

Mr. Nopparat said that Bangkok and Chiang Rai are the perfect destinations for China as they offer unparalleled experiences for business events and meeting delegates. In strategic terms， Bangkok is one of the most attractive business destinations at the heart of the fast-growing ASEAN bloc， offering both a potential marketplace and peerless business opportunities throughout the region.

Looking ahead， TCEB forecasts that the marketing initiatives to attract Chinese MICE travellers will enable it to achieve this year’s target of 1，060，000 high quality business events travellers. This will help to generate 17，458 billion yuan （US$2，645 million） MICE revenue for the Thai economy.