Rise in Thailand’s ranking as meeting destination in Asia Pacific
- February 20, 2025
Thailand’s ranking as a leading meeting destination in Asia-Pacific is rising, according to the statistics of world-leading MICE bodies, ICCA, UFI and Cvent.
Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, stated that the development of Thai MICE industry has earned the country international recognition as a leading destination for business events in the region. This reputation is proven by a strong track record of Thailand hosting a series of successful international events, resulting in the MICE industry being a national economic driver. During 2015 and 2023, spending in organising MICE events totaled 1.24 trillion baht, contributing 963.5 billion baht in added value to the Thai economy, 118.4 billion baht in tax revenue and creating 844,750 jobs.
Thailand has secured a top-ten spot as a MICE destination in the Asia-Pacific region, according to rankings by international MICE bodies. Notably, in the 2023 Annual Country and City Rankings Report by The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Thailand moved from 7th to 6th in Asia Pacific and from 32nd in the world in 2022 to 26th in 2023, an impressive leap of six positions within a single year.
The country was also voted the best meeting and incentie destination in the Asia-Pacific region for 3 consecutive years between 2021 and 2023, earning the country Stella Awards, according to the survey conducted by M&C Asia, Singapore-based MICE and trade media.
The latest rankings of Cvent Top Lists 2024, which are compiled from venue sourcing activities through the Cvent Supplier Network, one of the world's largest venue-sourcing platforms, also highlight Bangkok and Phuket as the top ten MICE city destinations in the Asia Pacific for 2024 with Bangkok securing the 2nd and Phuket the 9th positions, respectively.
For the international exhibition industry, Thailand ranks first in ASEAN for exhibition space and ranks fourth in Asia, a rise from eighth spot withing a single year, according to the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) report for 2022.
