MICE industry to return to normal in Q3

 Akapol Sorasuchart, president of TCEB, said after a brainstorming session with business operators today that the industry has lost over Bt3.3 billion, as trips for 250,861 visitors have been cancelled.  TCEB has  come up with plans to help operators cope with the disaster through the setup of an information centre, an emergency centre, and measures to accommodate visitors. It also plans the provision of incentives for organisers who maintain the events or have to change the venue. About 25 international fairs are scheduled during November 2011-June 2012. In the long term, it will propose tax deduction on meeting/training expenses. It also considers a special trip, in cooperation with the Federation of Thai Industries, for 1,000 flood victims.
 "Though TCEB's 2012 budget is cut, we'll try to maintain our target. We aim to bring in 750,000 visitors, to generate Bt60 billion," he said. One of major events next year is the International Rotary assembly, with 30,000 visitors from over 20 countries.