Bangkok (2010-02-01)

THE Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is launching a dedicated Thai Team to attract more MICE business to Thailand.

To be rolled-out during a roadshow between January 30 and February 3 in Japan, the team's main objective will be to cut down on bureaucratic red-tape by facilitating easier cross-departmental access to various government agencies.

TCEB president Akapol Sorasuchart said the Thai Team would demonstrate Thailand's readiness to host MICE events "with the Thai government's full backing".

The Thai Team comprises TCEB, Immigration Department, Airports of Thailand, Thai Customs Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways International, as well as TCEB-endorsed MICE Cities — Bangkok, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.

Japan ranks third in Asia in terms of MICE delegate numbers to Thailand which welcomed 35,000 Japanese MICE visitors, generating three billion baht (US$90 million) in 2008.

While last year's figures are unavailable, TCEB forecasts this year to see 10,000 additional MICE visitors from Japan. These include those attending annual corporate meetings of Unicity and Daihatsu, as well as regional industry events such as the Asia-Pacific Life Insurance Congress, fifth Asian Congress of Dietetics 2010 and the third Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction.