Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau and
city officials are working to put Pattaya atop the MICE destination
list.
Thanachot Anuwan
Pattaya’s efforts to become a leading convention
destination took two steps forward this month with the establishment of
a dedicated business-meetings department and a formal promotion
agreement with the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau.
About 100 hotel executives were on hand at the
Pattaya Hilton June 1 as TCEB and city officials signed the agreement to
develop Pattaya as a Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions
(MICE) center. Under the agreement, the convention bureau will provide
MICE education, creative activities, and join the city’s MICE committee.
The agreement follows the city’s recent establishment
of the MICE Department. It will work to promote and support domestic and
international conventions. It also will work with the TCEB to promote
Pattaya as a MICE destination at its international road shows.
Deputy City Manager Sutham Petket said Pattaya is
ready to become a MICE destination. However, he said, more work is
needed to publicize the fact Pattaya offers more than just leisure
tourism. He said business-meeting planners want to know about
transportation links to other areas as well as features attractive to
businesses.
