Thailand will lead the development of a MICE venue standard for Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) members, modelled on the country’s own venue standard initiative.
All 10 Asean tourism ministers attending the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2017 – which took place January 16-20 in Singapore – voted unanimously for Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) to lead the development of the Asean MICE Venue Standard (AMVS).
Commenting on TCEB’s success in securing this responsibility, the bureau’s president Nopparat Maythaveekulchai (left) says: “Highlighting Thailand’s pivotal role to drive forward the regional industry capabilities as a whole, this achievement forms part of the Thailand MICE Strategic Development Plan in line with 10-year Asean Strategy.”
Thailand MICE Venue Standard
TCEB launched the Thailand MICE Venue Standard (TMVS) in 2013 to help enhance the country’s meeting and exhibition venues to meet internationally recognised standards.
The bureau has so far certified 142 MICE businesses operating a combined 341 meeting rooms, spanning convention centres, hotels and resorts as well as city halls, museums, and other organisations that operate meeting facilities.
TCEB has launched the TMVS in six cities – Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Had Yai.
Maythaveekulchai says the bureau has also “put in place a working plan to cover other high potential cities in the clusters in line with government policy.”
Asean MICE Venue Standard
Following the successful launch of the TMVS, Thailand proposed to the National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) to develop a similar MICE venue standard for the Asean region.
Thailand was then selected as the lead coordinator for the development of the AMVS, after which the country hosted four special meetings for Asean member countries to further discuss the standard’s development.
Thailand will host the 1st Asean MICE Venue Standard Auditor Training from March 15-18, 2017, as a platform for member countries to learn more about the venue standard and the assessment process.
Thailand will also host the Asean Tourism Forum 2018 (ATF 2018), due to take place in Chiang Mai, during which the AMVS certification ceremony for all certified MICE operators will take place.
