Thailand has massive potential to draw more international exhibitions when Asean becomes a single market in the next few years, says UBM Asia (Thailand), the UK-based exhibition organiser.
General manager Nucharin Paradeevisut said many international organisers from Europe and the US are looking to organise their fairs and exhibitions in Thailand in the coming years. There is strong interest from the food and automobile sectors.
Thailand is located in the centre of Southeast Asia and has good infrastructure support. When the Asean Economic Community takes shape in 2016, the country could become a hub for trade fairs.
"We'll become a centre for Mice [meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions] in this region in the future," said Ms Nucharin.
She said while Singapore has a strong economy, its cost of living is very high and venue space limited. Indonesia lacks good infrastructure, while Vietnam enjoys growth potential but has bureaucratic red tape and an unskilled workforce.
Foreign investors are interested in Myanmar now that its economy is opening up, but its trade fair space remains insufficient.
UBM suggests Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) look for more business opportunities by participating in business-to-business trade fairs.
"They can meet many foreign trading partners there and showcase their products and services," said Ms Nucharin, adding that Thai SMEs like to attend business-to-customer fairs but do not look for partnerships.
While Thailand has many strengths in the Mice industry, the country should encourage people in the industry to enhance their language skills, particularly English.
"We should prepare our personnel by adding Mice-related courses at universities," said Ms Nucharin.
This year, UBM projects the Thai Mice industry will decline by 30% to 60 billion baht. Last year, it grew wildly, generating 88 billion baht from several trade fairs and exhibitions that were delayed from the floods in late 2011.