TICA MICE UPDATE

Bright Future Ahead for MICE Thailand in FY2019

International travellers attending events in Thailand generated revenue of THB18,031 million during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2019.

International travellers attending events in Thailand generated revenue of THB18,031 million during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2019 according to Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB.

In the report covering the first quarter October to December 2018 of the current fiscal year that ends 30 September 2019, TCEB president, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, confirmed Thailand welcomed 241,407 high spending international MICE travellers.

Accommodation, food & beverage, and shopping topped the spending list.

“Of the four core segments making up MICE (meetings incentives, conventions and exhibitions), the exhibition sector demonstrated an outstanding performance with visitors increasing by 60.66%,” the TCEB president reported.

“The growth was supported by key factors including positive trends in the global economy, while MICE travellers continue to show confidence in Thailand reflecting the government’s efforts to stimulate business activities and travel sector,” he added.

Contributing factors that increased the revenue earned from the MICE industry in the first quarter included the waiver of the visa-on-arrival fee launched in November 2018 for 21 nationalities. Waiving the fee benefited travellers from China and India.

In addition, Thailand’s positive business climate supported an expansion of airline services between Thailand and destinations in ASEAN.

According to the latest statistics from TCEB, the top five markets for international MICE travellers to Thailand in Q1 were China (85,498), Laos (29,547), Malaysia (21,352), Indonesia (21,051) and Japan (19,205).

Asia contributed the most MICE visitors due to short air distances from key source markets and the abundance of competitively priced fares.

In terms of MICE events, there were 275 international MICE events held in Thailand during Q1, which included 37 meetings, 153 incentive events, 16 conventions, and 19 exhibitions.

Incentive events made up more than 50% of all international MICE events hosted in Thailand.

The report also showed that 82.18% of all events were held in the central region focusing on Bangkok, Pattaya, and Chonburi province.