TCEB revealed that Thailand is still the ASEAN’s top of mind country for the trade fair industry

Thailand’s trade fair industry has a bright future in spite of the world economic downturn and political events in the country. MICE travelers are confidently choosing Thailand as a destination for their international trade fairs making it the number one leading country in the trade fair industry in ASEAN.

The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) has conducted market research in fifteen countries: Australia, The Republic of China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Pakistan, The Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The report results state that the trade fair industry in Thailand overall is growing and is ranked number eight in Asia. The annual revenue generated by all fairs reached 150 million US Dollars averaging about 1.99 million US Dollars per fair.

Mrs Supawan Teerarat, Exhibition Director of TCEB (Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau) stated that an aggressive marketing strategy in approaching potential markets especially in the ASEAN +6 (APS) countries has made Thailand the leading country for the trade fair industry in ASEAN for the fifth consecutive year. Last year, Thailand hosted 75 international fairs, the number being more than Singapore.

Apart from the number of trade fairs indentified, Thailand maintains its first rank in four more aspects which are: the estimated annual size of trade fairs that is as large as 466,500 square meters, the average size per fair which is 6,220 square meters, the estimated annual revenue reached 150 million US Dollars, as well as the number of international standard venues approved by UFI.

“Currently, Thailand is ranked eighth in Asia. However, in terms of average revenue per fair, Thailand is ranked fourth after Hong Kong, China and Japan. We can see that Thailand has a lot of potential in the trade fair market and to be number one in Asia is not beyond reach.” Mrs Supawan Teerarat added.

At present, Thailand has nine International Standard Exhibition Centers approved by UFI. Two new centers were approved in 2009 they are: the Royal Phuket Marina International Exhibition and Convention Center and Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Center with up to 212,405 Square meters of display space.

“Now there are more exhibition and convention centers. This increases the potential of Thailand to compete with the global exhibition industry. TCEB have helped in supporting our exhibition and convention centers to reach international standards and to give international exhibitors more choices for their trade fairs in other provinces apart from Bangkok. Consequently, these international standard venues will serve Thailand well in maintaining the leadership of the trade fair industry in ASEAN and to progress to be one of the leading countries in the trade fair industry of Asia” Mrs Supawan concluded.