Phl, Thailand ink partnership, take firm grip on MICE market

CEBU, Philippines - Making a step forward in preparation for the 2015 ASEAN Integration, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI) inked a partnership to strengthen the two countries lead in the ASEAN MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition) sector.

The TCEB and CCPI recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formally seal the collaboration to further improve and expand trade promotion and MICE industries between the two countries.

Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, TCEB president said that as the government agency under the Prime Minister’s Office,  TCEB is mandated to promote Thailand’s meeting, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions or the MICE industry.

He said Thailand’s MICE sector has been growing strongly in recent years.

“In 2012, we welcomed 895,224 MICE visitors, exceeding our annual target by 19 per cent, with 7,382 MICE events and earnings of US$2.66 billion. MICE travelers from Asia have been largely responsible for this strong growth, representing 65 percent of all MICE travelers last year. The Philippines is one of Thailand’s priority countries.”

The bilateral relationship between Thailand and The Philippines has long been established since 1949 – and trades and investment is vibrant.

A 2012 report from the Thai Ministry of Commerce (MOC) ranked the Philippines as the 12th export destination for Thai products with total value amounting to US$ 4,861.17 million. The same report showed that the Philippines was Thailand’s 20th largest supplier of goods in 2012, with trade valued at US$2,724.21 million.

As an Asian economy on the rise, The Philippines will play an important role in contributing to the success of Thailand’s MICE industry. 

Last year, The Philippines was ranked ninth in terms of numbers of MICE visitors to many business events in Thailand, accounting for 16,745 MICE visitors in total. In addition, TCEB expects the figure to grow by a further 10 per cent in 2013, in line with the dynamism and rapid growth of the broader economy.

The formation of the AEC (ASEAN economic community) in 2015 will take this positioning to a whole new dimension, when the 10 member states of ASEAN will become a single market with free flow of goods, services, skilled labor and investment.

The MOU agreements will amplify TCEB’s ongoing efforts to further improve and expand trade promotion and MICE industry between Thailand and The Philippines.

The agreement also highlights the importance of a long-term strategic partnership in the MICE industry in order to create long-term competitiveness and sustainability for the service sectors of the Philippines and Thailand in the international arena. There will also be exchange of support and business trade missions to launch, transplant, and participate in successful trade shows, and meeting industry initiatives.

“The two agreements that we are launching today will play a central role in driving this growth. This is the start of a long-term strategic partnership among our organizations that will be of immense benefit to our respective MICE industries and to the broader economic partnership between The Philippines and Thailand,” added Nopparat.

TCEB also aims to tap into new markets within the Philippines including Clark and Cebu, by organizing a trade mission with ASEAN collaboration. TCEB has also prepared a special incentive program, ‘100 A-HEAD’, for Philippine-based trade promoters to visit trade exhibitions in Thailand.

This year Thailand has welcomed a number of MICE visitors from the Philippines in several exhibitions such as VIV Asia, ISRMAX Asia, THAIFEX – World of Food Asia, Food Ingredient Asia and TFBO & TRAFS, and in meetings and incentives groups including Yokohama Tires Philippines.

“In line with the 10 per cent growth target for the Philippines market, TCEB also expects Thailand’s overall MICE industry to continue to grow by 10 per cent by revenue, with a year-end target for 2013 of 940,000 visitors and earnings of US$3.14 billion. With the strong collaboration between TCEB, PCCI and CCPI, we are confident that we will be able to achieve our goal in the near future.” Nopparat concluded. /JOB (FREEMAN)