IT&CMA 2002 helps boost Thai MICE Industry

The Thai Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) industry has received a major boost with the successful conclusion of Asia's largest industry trade show, the Incentive Travel and Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) at IMPACT centre in Bangkok between October 23-25, 2002.

The IT&CMA 2002 brought together 971 senior executives of top companies world-wide, including 321 hosted and walk-in buyers who are responsible for organising and planning incentive travel, meetings, conferences, business travel and special events worldwide.

The event also included 580 exhibiting delegates and 70 media representatives.

Thailand was the biggest exhibiting contingent with 26.3% of the total exhibitors, followed by Malaysia (15.6%) and Singapore (15.6%) while Germany was the largest buyer contingent with 17.8% of the total buyers.

The event was organised by TTG Asia Media with support from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) and Thai Airways International.

Held for the first time in Bangkok after several years in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, the event saw increased space being taken by national pavilions, leading to an expansion of the total exhibition space by 5,000 square metres. Organisers also reported growing interest from European buyers who comprised about 55% of total hosted buyers.

Commented TAT Governor Mrs. Juthamas Siriwan, "The IT&CMA will bolster Thailand's position as a premiere and value-for-money MICE destination. The convening of such events is in line with the government's policy to attract more MICE delegates to Thailand.

"We are sure that the IT&CMA will help expose our excellent facilities and services and attract increased investment in developing the products and services required by this lucrative sector of the travel industry," added the governor.

Thailand received a further boost when it was conferred the "Destination of the Year" award by TTG Asia, based on the results of a readership survey.

Under the theme 'Celebrating Asia's Fascinating World of MICE', the IT&CMA 2002 show featured pre-scheduled business sessions, familiarisation trips and networking opportunities. A number of informative seminars and practical workshops were also held by leading MICE and travel and tourism specialists.

Delegates had a chance to catch up on the latest market situation and get detailed briefings on China and India, two countries which hold considerable potential for the future of the MICE market.

The IT&CMA will remain in Thailand for both 2003 and 2004.

IT&CMA was first held in Hong Kong between 1993-1996 and then in Malaysia between 1997-2001. In 2001, the event attracted 189 exhibitors from 33 countries, and 877 buyers.

In 2001, international convention delegates to Thailand totalled 89,677, an increase of 7.38% over 2000. During January-June 2002, MICE delegates totalled 52,102, up by 14.94% over the same period of 2001, much higher than the 6.44% growth of total visitor arrivals to Thailand.

Several high-profile events are to be held in Thailand over the next few years, including the 20th World Scout Jamboree in December 2002, the APEC Leaders Summit in 2003, the XV International AIDS Conference in 2004 to be attended by 14,000 delegates, and the Lions Clubs International in 2008, the world's largest convention which will bring 30,000 delegates.