Thailand Assists Vietnam in MICE Tourism Development

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) on Aug 14 started a training program on MICE tourism development for Vietnamese businesses, state media reported. Members of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) will benefit from the program which will focus on how to maximize profits in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. The Thai bureau will also help Vietnamese businesses promote trade and MICE activities at international expos to stimulate business development. The program is part of the MICE agreement between ASEAN member nations which VIETRADE signed two years ago. In March, 2012, Vietnam and Thailand also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote MICE cooperation between the countries. Thailand boasts the most developed MICE industry in the ASEAN region. Annually, the average growth of MICE tourism in Thailand was 15% - 20%, in which Meetings and Incentives accounted for 41.1%, Conventions 36.9% and Exhibitions 22%. In 2011, revenues of MICE tourism in Thailand hit approximately $1.75 billion. The country is expected to attract 750,000 MICE tourists with revenues of $1.44 billion in 2012. (Dat Viet – National Land Aug 15 p11)