MICE industry pleads against more political conflict

After meeting with 17 representatives of MICE business operators and associations, Akapol Sorasuchart, president of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), said such conflict would affect the confidence of foreign investors and business visitors.
Akapol noted that the flood crisis had already cost MICE business Bt3.32 billion in lost revenue from 250,861 potential MICE visitors, mainly for corporate meetings.
“We need to ensure that overseas businesses keep their confidence in the country, especially after this crisis is over,” he said after reports of a government amnesty decree.
Thus TCEB will also propose to the government a Bt40-million marketing plan to boost confidence overseas, under the theme “Believe in Thailand”. That budget will consist of Bt10 million each for four promotional schemes, namely media familiarisation trips; jointly developing a television programme with CNBC; public relations though Time magazine and The Economist; and a promotion campaign during BOI Fair 2011, which now will take place in January.
In addition, the TCEB has launched a series of measures to deal with the impact from the flooding on MICE business. For example, in October, the bureau set up a coordinating centre with the private sector to support transport, accommodation and information updates for MICE travellers from overseas.
From this month until the end of the year, the TCEB will provide a financial subsidy for MICE organisers who are willing to postpone their events to next year instead of cancelling them.
However, Akapol retains high hope for achieving next year’s target of 750,000 MICE travellers, generating Bt60.1 billion in receipts. The bureau expects to see slight growth from 720,000 delegates and Bt57.6 billion earnings this year.
The TCEB expects to welcome 30,000 delegates from 20 countries across the globe to attend the Rotary International Convention from May 6-9.