Domestic Mice to get a boost

TOURISM

KHAO YAI : The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has joined with the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) to promote domestic meetings among Thai state agencies and private companies.

Actively promoting meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (Mice) business to local customers would cushion the big drop in international Mice events, hit by the recession, said Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, a TCEB director for government and corporate affairs.

"We expect at least 1 billion baht will be generated from Mice activities within the country this year," he said.

The TCEB and TICA will organise eight local roadshows in four regions to promote Mice under the "Thailand Moving Forward" campaign.

They started with Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima, last weekend, and will continue with Chiang Mai from April 24-26, Hat Yai in May, Pattaya in June, Phuket, Krabi and Phangnga in July, Khon Kaen in August, Kanchanaburi in September and Sukhothai in November. The budget for the project is 30 million baht.

Meanwhile, the cabinet has approved a resolution allowing state agencies arranging meetings in Thailand to claim a tax deduction of twice their expenses for venues and accommodation.

"We expect more than half the buyers in each familiarisation trip to organise their meetings and incentives there, particularly in destinations like Korat, Hua Hin and Pattaya," Mr Chiruit said.

The TCEB and TICA plan to use a door-knocking strategy to reach state agencies, a segment with high potential.

A participant at the Khao Yai meeting, Pansakorn Roadbunjob of Krungthai Car Rent & Lease Plc, said this year was a good time for meeting organisers because they could get high-quality products at very cheap prices.

"Our company set its meeting and training budget 20% higher than last year. I think it is a good time to train our staff to enhance their skills because they have more free time," he said.