 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
The meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions (MICE) industry in Thailand is one of the major branches of tourism in Thailand, contributing an estimated 0.58 percent to Thailand's GDP in 2012 (9.4% of all tourism earnings). [1]
The number of tourists in the MICE sector is around three percent of the overall arrivals to Thailand each year. They are recognized as the most desirable category of visitors, mainly because of their high-spending potential. The average spending of tourists in this sector is three times higher than spending of tourists in other sectors. [2] Thailand benefits from its geographic position between China and India [3] and tops the ASEAN region in terms of exhibition spaces sold and for being the most profitable MICE market. [4]
In 2012, Thailand hosted more than 7,300 meeting events (a 6.84 percent increase from 2011), totaling 895,000 visitors. The main sources were conventions (33 percent), corporate meetings (25 percent) and incentive travel (24 percent), adding the equivalent of more than US$2.5 billion to the economy of Thailand. [1] Around 65 percent of Thailand’s MICE business came from Asian countries. India was the most frequent MICE customer, with 74,941 meetings visitors in 2012, followed by China (63,955), Japan (45,424) and Korea (37,175). The United States was on the eighth place, sending 21,786 delegates in 2012. [1]
In 2013, the number of visitors surpassed one million, [5] 72 percent from Asia. [6] China was the main contributor, both by number of travelers (128,437) and revenue (US$360 million). [7]
In 2018, the number of MICE visitors in Thailand peaked at two million, dropping sharply the following year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but still staying above the levels from 2016 (1.27 million visitors). [8]
As of 2022, Thailand's MICE industry has shown remarkable resilience and growth. The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) reported over 100,000 MICE gatherings in the year, with significant contributions from international groups. The largest MICE event in 2022 attracted 10,000 people from 50 countries, demonstrating the sector's broad international appeal. [9]
Thailand is a popular destination for Indian weddings that use MICE facilities as reception venues, [10] some wedding groups surpassing 1500 guests. [11] [12] Reasons given for this success have been the incorporation of the Indian culture and the understanding of the Indian guests' requirements, [13] the price–performance ratio compared to India proper [10] and also the visa on arrival regime for Indian citizens. [14] In July 2014, 40 percent of Indian weddings held in Thailand were in Phuket, 30 percent in Hua Hin and 15 percent in Pattaya. [15]
During the recent years Thailand has also grown into a popular destination for Western-style weddings, with the cost of a 100 guests wedding reaching an average of ~550,00฿ in 2023, and the number of reservations steadily growing. [16]
Large scale events, such as conferences and conventions, can have a significant environmental impact in terms of energy usage, water consumption, waste, and carbon emissions. Thus, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) launched the "Green Meetings" campaign in 2009. However, the understanding of many event planners and industry players regarding environmentally sustainable events and meetings remains lacking. [17]
In most Asia/Pacific countries (including Thailand), governments lead the way in the construction of MICE facilities. The private sector is generally leads the development of conference and exhibition centres in countries where governments have few financial resources (Indonesia and Mekong sub-region). [18] In Thailand, in 1984, the government and private sectors jointly established the "Thailand Incentive and Convention Association" (TICA), in order to support the growth of the MICE sector. [2] It cooperated with 'Trade Exhibition Association Thailand' (TEA) and some medical associations to draw meetings and seminars to be held in Thailand. These associations had some help from the government, but the government had not yet seen MICE as an opportunity. [19] In 1991, the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, one of the main convention centers in East Asia, opened. [18]
In 2002, the Royal Thai Government established the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) under the Office of the Prime Minister, as the organization to market MICE events in Thailand. One of the bureau's roles is to encourage the inclusion of Thai arts and culture in these events in order to promote the national heritage. [20] TCEB identified five major MICE cities: (Bangkok, Phuket, Khon Kaen, Pattaya, Chiang Mai). [21] Other organizations involved in the development of the MICE sector in Thailand are Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Thai Airways. [22]
Bangkok is the administrative, education, commercial and transport center of the country, and a regional center for business, finance and communications, many international corporations having offices here. The city is the hub of Thailand's commercial events industry, with 299 hotels in the city center and seven world-standard convention and exhibition centers. Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) focuses on machinery and trade shows. IMPACT, with a 130,000 m2 exhibition area and a convention center with a 10,000 delegates hosting capacity, mostly takes on consumer shows. Smaller venues such as the Royal Paragon Hall and Queen Sirikit National Convention Center usually host lifestyle events. [3]
Working together with the TCEB, Chiang Mai devised a five-year master plan (2013–2017) to become a MICE hub. [23] The Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (CMECC), with a total area of 521,600 m2 and usable space of 60,000 m2, is one of the biggest convention and exhibition centres in Southeast Asia. [24] In 2012, the total value of the Chiang Mai MICE industry reached 3.9 billion baht, of which 3.8 billion baht was contributed by 46,826 foreign MICE travellers. [25]
In 2016, Chiang Mai was ranked 28th among Asia-Pacific and Middle East cities based on the number of meetings that took place, [26] rising from its rank of 34th in 2015. [27]
Khon Kaen is the major commercial and educational center of Isan, Thailand’s northeastern region. It is one of the winners of IBM's Smarter Cities programme for developing MICE promoting strategies. [28] In 2013, the MICE sector generated 600 million baht in revenue. [29]
In the mid-1980s, Pattaya became the first Thai resort destination to attract international incentives, mainly from Europe. By the year 2000, Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH), the largest local convention centre, secured its position as a venue for major conventions and exhibitions. It has been the venue for numerous large-scale conventions, including the PATA Travel Mart, PATA annual conference and ASEAN Tourism Forum as well as major medical and insurance related congresses. [30] North Pattaya Alliance is a group of seven hotels focused on different identities and features that work together in hosting MICE events and Indian weddings. [15]
The extended touristic infrastructure in Phuket (over 600 hotels, various venues and an international airport) led to the development of a MICE sector on this island. Most of the venues with MICE facilities are in Laguna Phuket. [31]
Koh Samui is rapidly becoming a top destination for MICE events.
Phitsanulok Province Certified to "Become a MICE City" from 3 December 2020 onwards through the cooperation of the government, private sector, civil society Educational institution And all development partners MICE City Assessment Committee Has conducted an audit in Phitsanulok Province according to the criteria And has approved for Phitsanulok Province "Passed and MICE City assessment" effective 3 December 2020 [32]
Chiang Mai, sometimes written as Chiengmai or Chiangmai, is the largest city in northern Thailand, the capital of Chiang Mai province and the second largest city in Thailand. It is 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok in a mountainous region called the Thai highlands and has a population of 1.2 million people as of 2022, which is more than 66 percent of the total population of Chiang Mai province.
Thai Airways Company or Thai Airways was the domestic flag carrier of Thailand. Its main base was the domestic terminal at Don Mueang International Airport. Its head office was located in Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok. In 1988 Thai Airways merged to become Thai Airways International.
Software Park Thailand is a government agency under the National Science and Technology Development Agency. It was established to stimulate the development of the Thai software industry. It maintains a close association with the private sector. It is in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi Province.
The national museums of Thailand are operated by the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture, and are responsible for the safeguarding of state-owned historical and cultural artefacts. In 1926 King Prajadhipok created the Royal Institute of Art, Literature and Archaeology, which then opened the museum in Bangkok at the Wang Na palace. Today there are 43 national museum branches operated across the country.
Tourism is an economic contributor to the Kingdom of Thailand. Estimates of tourism revenue directly contributing to the GDP of 12 trillion baht range from one trillion baht (2013) 2.53 trillion baht (2016), the equivalent of 9% to 17.7% of GDP. When including indirect travel and tourism receipts, the 2014 total is estimated to be the equivalent of 19.3% of Thailand's GDP. The actual contribution of tourism to GDP is lower than these percentages because GDP is measured in value added not revenue. The valued added of the Thailand's tourism industry is not known. According to the secretary-general of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council in 2019, the government projects that the tourism sector will account for 30% of GDP by 2030, up from 20% in 2019.
Sikhism is a recognised minority religion in Thailand, with about 70,000 adherents. The religion was brought by migrants from India who began to arrive in the late 19th century. There are about twenty Sikh temples or Gurdwaras in the country, including the Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Bangkok.
Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (QSBG) is a botanical garden in Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. It was opened in 1993 and is maintained under the auspices of the Botanical Garden Organization (BGO) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Originally called the Mae Sa Botanic Garden, it was renamed for Sirikit, Queen of Thailand, in 1994.
Kannithi Aviation Co. Ltd, operated as Kan Air, was a small airline with its hub at Chiang Mai Airport. Kan Air operated charter and scheduled services in Thailand. As of September 2016, Kan Air flew nine routes. Flights from Chiang Mai were to Mae Hong Son, Pai, Nan, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Phitsanulok, Hua Hin, Chiang Rai, and U-Tapao. On 21 April 2017, Kan Air suspended all of its operations.
R Airlines, legally incorporated as Skyview Airways Co. Ltd., was a Thai charter airline headquartered in the Don Mueang District, Bangkok and based out of nearby Don Mueang International Airport. It ceased operations on 18 February 2018.
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is a public organization established by royal decree in 2002 to promote Thailand as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions (MICE).
The 41st Thailand National Games also known were held in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 5 to 19 December 2013. Represented were 43 sports and 77 disciplines. The games were held in 700th Anniversary Stadium Sport Center, etc. and Chiang Mai hosted 1995 Southeast Asian Games.
The 40th Thailand National Games were held in Khon Kaen, Thailand from 3 to 13 March 2012 after being postponed by the 2011 Thailand floods, with competition in 39 sports and 77 disciplines. These games were held in Khon Kaen University Sport Center. Khon Kaen also hosted the 1992 Thailand National Games
The 1968 Thailand National Games, officially known as the II Thailand National Games, and commonly known as Chiang Mai 1968, was a multi-sport event held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from 3 to 9 December 1968 with 118 events in 14 sports and disciplines featured in the games. This was Chiang Mai's first time to host the Thailand National Games. A total of 1,700 athletes from 9 regions participated in the games.
Miss Universe Thailand 2016, the 17th Miss Universe Thailand pageant was held at Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon in Bangkok on July 23, 2016. 40 entrants from countrywide camped in Ayuthaya before flying back to Bangkok for the final stage.
Khonkaen International Convention and Exhibition Center (KICE) is a convention center and exhibition hall in Khon Kaen, Thailand. It was built by CP Land, with an investment of almost 2 billion baht. The center is expected to help raise Khon Kaen's profile as a MICE destination, a move promoted by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.
Military circles of Thailand are subdivisions of the Royal Thai Army. Each military circle governs and supports all military units and personnel in its area. Several military circles are grouped into a military region. A military circle can cover one or more civil provinces.
