BANGKOK TO HOST WORLD’S BIGGEST CONVENTION IN 2008

The world’s biggest convention is to come to Thailand in 2008 when more than 30,000 delegates of Lions Clubs International will gather for their annual caucus.

To be held at the Impact Convention Centre, Muang Thong Thani, in Nonthaburi province between June 23-27, 2008, the event is set to give a major boost to Thailand’s meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) industry.

More than 20,000 hotel rooms will be required to accommodate all the delegates, which will certainly boost occupancies in a month that traditionally records the lowest number of arrivals.

Lions Clubs International is an independent organisation with about 1.4 million volunteer members, mostly business- people and top officials, from 44,335 clubs in 185 countries and territories.

Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Mr. Pradech Phayakvichien commented, “We are absolutely delighted with this and very grateful to the Lions Clubs International for their confidence in Thailand. The event will help showcase the Kingdom’s potential as a world-class MICE destination, able to accommodate major events.

“We estimate that the three billion baht in foreign exchange will accrue to the Thai economy,” the governor added. “It will also allow Thai business people to meet with their foreign counterparts and explore opportunities for more trade and commerce.”

With approval from Lions Clubs International (Thailand), TAT and the Thai private sector bid for the conference in November 2000. The Meeting of Lions Clubs International Board in Paris in April 2001 voted for Bangkok as the venue for the 2008 convention, beating competitor Melbourne.

Major factors which contributed to the victory include the country’s variety of tourism destinations and products easy connection from all points of the globe, as well as favourable rates for hotels and related services, thanks to strong co- operation from public and private groupings in the travel and tourism industry.

“Though bidding for major international MICE events is not easy, strong co- operation from hotels and our national carrier, Thai Airways International, has always proved instrumental in attracting more events to Thailand,” Governor Pradech said.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Lions Clubs International (Thailand) and TAT will host a press conference to announce the successful bid at the Shangri-La Hotel on this evening between 18:00-20:00 hours.

TAT is also assisted in bidding for numerous other international conferences such as the World Congress of Neurology in 2005 and the 19th International Diabetes Federation Congress in 2006.

Bangkok’s status as a MICE venue has gained much ground with four major convention and exhibition centres; namely, Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), Impact Convention Centre and Bangkok Convention Centre. New MICE venues are also coming up in major provincial destinations like Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

Because of its high foreign exchange generating potential as well as the need to fill up the additional convention-centre capacity, the MICE industry has become a major focus of the national tourism campaign, Amazing Thailand 2001.

To attract more MICE visitors and organisers, TAT and TICA (Thailand Incentive and Convention Association) have launched a campaign entitled ‘The Place to Meet, Amazing Thailand 2001-2002’ to offer value-added benefits. Events that qualify for organisational support will get special meet-and-greet facilities at airports and traditional ceremonies at opening and closing functions.

Hotels will also guarantee room rates and provide free AV equipment, delegates will get VIP discount cards and souvenirs, and organisers will get registration and secretariat assistance. These are only a part of the full array of incentives on offer. In 2000, Thailand received a total of 860,786 business travellers and 83,513 convention delegates. Though the figures are small compared to the total arrivals of 9.5 million, both showed a very strong growth of 15.85% and 10.84%, respectively over 1999.