Thailand's MICE sector expected to grow by 5% in 2019

BANGKOK, June 27 (TNA) - The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has projected that the Kingdom's meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector should grow by about 5 per cent year-on-year in 2019 despite negative impacts from the stronger Thai baht and the persistent trade war between the United States and China. TCEB President Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya voiced the projection in Bangkok on Thursday, estimating that the domestic MICE sector should, thus, earn the country over 250 billion baht this year in terms of the increased employment and revenues of organizing teams for international events. Chiruit said that out of the overall estimated revenues, about 105 billion baht should come from spending in the Thai economy by about 1.3 million international participants in the domestic MICE business. According to the TCEB president, major clients of Thailand's MICE business include China, India and other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), especially growing Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar. Meanwhile, an international exhibition on innovations for energy conservation and smart energy, lighting and fire prevention is being held in Muang Thong Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok during June 27-29, in which business operators of the world's leading brands participate. Its organizing team assessed that the ongoing three-day international event should attract more than 15,000 international visitors. (TNA)