THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

TCEB urges non-financial incentives for MICE travellers

TCEB urges non-financial incentives for MICE travellers

THE GOVERNMENT should focus more on non-financial measures to lure meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) to the country, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau says.

TCEB chairman of the board Weerasak Kowsurat said this could be done by providing MICE visas and MICE work permits to business travellers, which could attract more events, including huge exhibitions, from overseas. Currently, many MICE travellers are required to summit documents to get a work permit before being allowed to enter the Kingdom to participate in an event.
He said business travellers also needed to be able to carry out registration, booking and payment procedures online before travelling to Thailand. 
“Thailand already has great accessibility, infrastructure, venues, and services but not [this kind of] non-financial support,” Weerasak said.
“By adapting to global MICE industry trends through the bureau’s strategy, action plans and campaigns in 2017, the TCEB foresees that the creative use of technology and digital disruption in the planning and development of MICE activities will enhance experiences among MICE travellers.”
The TCEB yesterday announced plans to play a more active role as a facilitator fostering partnerships between public and private sector organisations to enhance competitiveness and reduce obstacles regarding policy recommendations for legislation through the Subcommittee for MICE and Public Sector Cooperation and the MICE Industry Strategic Committee.
It will also develop the TCEB Smart Bureau to promote environmental approaches and reduce the country’s carbon footprint by adopting e-meetings and e-documents to reduce paperwork, in addition to the implementation of the ISO 22301 Business Continuity Standard. 
It will also promote good governance by targeting the top 20 positions in the Integrity and Transparency Assessment (ITA) among all government agencies in Thailand.
The TCEB has forecast revenue of Bt155 billion from 27.1 million MICE travellers in 2017. Of that, Bt101 billion is expected to be generated from international markets, including 1.1 million foreign MICE visitors.
Another Bt54 billion is forecast to be generated from the domestic market from 26 million MICE travellers.
 

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