The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has now been formally established and is accepting applications for membership from tourism-related associations that wish to attract this lucrative sector of the travel industry.

The Bureau is seeking to interest associations like those of the hotels, travel agents, guides, exhibition companies and others to join up and help promote Thailand internationally as a world-class meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) destination.

Established as a public organisation by a Royal Decree and effective from the September 28, 2002, date of publication in the Royal Gazette, the Bureau will oversee marketing and promotion campaigns in major markets and coordinate Thailand's participation in high-profile global MICE trade shows.

The Bureau also will provide consultancy and advisory services as well as research and statistics to member companies. It will help boost their competitiveness through training courses and coordinate the development of the MICE business with public and private agencies.

The bureau's board of directors is now being set up. It will consist of 11 members and hold office for a four-year period. The board members will include the chairman who will be appointed by the cabinet and four representatives from governmental bodies such as the TAT, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Department of Export Promotion.

There will also be three people from the private sector who may well be connected with trade associations such as the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) or the Thai Hotels Association (THA), two non-government persons who will probably be drawn from the academic world as well as the executive director.

After the board has been appointed, work will begin on hiring full-time executives and staff members. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)'s International Convention Division Director Mr. Udom Metatamrongsiri commented, "The establishment of CEB will help promote the Thai MICE industry by showcasing our excellent facilities and services. We expect to see more international MICE events in Thailand in the coming years."

In 2001, international convention delegates and spouses to Thailand totalled 166,783, an increase of 18.69% over 2000. During January-June 2002, MICE delegates totalled 52,102, up by 14.94% over the same period of 2001, much higher than the 6.44% growth in total visitor arrivals to Thailand.

Several high-profile events are to be held in Thailand over the next few years, including the 20th World Scout Jamboree in December 2002, the APEC Leaders Summit in 2003, the XV International AIDS Conference in 2004 to be attended by 14,000 delegates, and the Lions Clubs International in 2008, the world's largest convention which will bring 30,000 delegates.