TICA MICE UPDATE

BANGKOK, March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) (Public Organization) today revealed the success of a nationwide adoption of MICE venue standardization, naming a total of 101 venues that have been certified under the Thailand MICE Venue Standard in 2017. Moving forward, TCEB is accelerating the development of the exhibition and specialized venue standards, while defining a strategic road map for the ASEAN MICE Venue Standard.

Mr.Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, president of TCEB said that, "Driving Thailand's leadership position as the premiere MICE destination in ASEAN through the development of the MICE Standardization Strategy is in line with the 20-year National Strategy, and the Development Strategy from the MICE industry strategic blueprint, which outlines the importance of upgrading areas and venue standards. The standardization of a wide range of venues under the Thailand MICE Venue Standard program is among the key initiatives TCEB undertook over the past four years. It was created to help MICE venues in Thailandmeet internationally recognized standards, as this is one of the key factors for organisers when choosing Thailand as their destination for MICE events. We are at the forefront of the MICE industry in ASEAN, and are rolling out the program nationwide, with a focus on three target groups including convention/exhibition centers, hotels and resorts, and public/private organisations."

The program has achieved widespread adoption since its inception. In 2015, a total of 42 MICE venues -- comprising 114 meeting rooms -- were certified under the Thailand MICE Venue Standard, and a total of 100 MICE venues with 227 meeting rooms were certified in 2016. This year, 101 MICE venues with a total of 215 meeting rooms in Bangkok and other MICE Cities are accredited with the Thailand MICE Venue Standard.

Ms. Nichapa Yoswee, director of MICE Capabilities Department, TCEB added that, "We are moving forward with the Thailand MICE Venue Standard in accordance with the 2015 - 2019 Master Plan, which outlines 6 key strategic plans including Strategic Plan 1: To develop the Thailand MICE Venue Standard in line with the internationally recognized standards such as ISO; Strategic Plan 2: To drive capabilities of MICE standard professionals through the Venue Management Course for meeting and convention centre executives, which will run for the second time this year; Strategic Plan 3: To develop the Thailand MICE venue database through an E-Directory System where organisers can access and search for accredited venues conveniently.

Strategic Plan 4: To promote accredited venues among public and private organisations, as well as to propose this policy through the government to support accredited venues;Strategic Plan 5: To promote the MICE venue standard among ASEAN member countries and drive the Thailand MICE Venue Standard to wider recognition. The Thailand MICE Venue Standard has been used as a model to develop the ASEAN MICE Venue Standard; and Strategic Plan 6: To drive and sustain the Thailand MICE Venue Standard in the long term by working with key stakeholders to help educate and encourage MICE venue operators to join the program, and maintain their accreditation.

"In 2017, the Thailand MICE Venue Standard will further expand to cover the exhibition venue and special event venue categories in the 5 key MICE Cities (including Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Khon Kaen), and Had Yai. For the ASEAN MICE Venue Standard, at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2017, held last January, ASEAN Tourism Ministers from 10 members countries agreed to use the Thailand MICE Venue Standard as a model to develop the ASEAN MICE Venue Standard, which will be rolled out in respective countries. This not only marks an important milestone for Thailand's leadership role in the MICE industry at the ASEAN regional level but also strengthens the ASEAN MICE industry's image and drives our region's capabilities as a whole," Ms. Nichapaadded.

Thailand will play host to the 1st ASEAN MICE Venue Standard Auditor Training, from 15-18 March 2017, to provide an opportunity for all member countries to learn more about the venue standard and how to assess venues. Moreover, Thailand will be the host country for the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2018 (ATF 2018) -- scheduled to be held in Chiang Mai -- at which the ASEAN MICE Venue Standard certification ceremony for all certified MICE operators from 10 ASEAN member countries will take place.

"The Thailand MICE Venue Standard Certificate Ceremony 2017 showcases our industry's success and high level of standards, as well as highlighting our appreciation for all 101 participating operators and their 215 meeting rooms, in Bangkok and other MICE Cities. Among these are the Queen Sirikit Convention Center/ Central World/ The 60th Anniversary of His Majesty the King's Accession to the Throne International Convention Center, Had Yai/ SCB Training Center/ Royal Paragon Hall / Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center/ Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid/ Central Plaza Udonthani/ Centara Hotel & Convention Centre Udon Thani/ Phuket Panwa Beachfront Resort/ Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket/ and Buri Sriphu Boutique Hotel, Songkhla and more."

"TCEB is confident that the readiness and the standard of Thailand MICE venues will help to ensure MICE organisers and travelers choose Thailand as the destination for their next MICE events. We also expect that this year Thailand will be able to welcome a total of 1,109,000 MICE travellers, earning the Thai economy more than 101 billion baht," Mr. Nopparat concluded.