TICA calls for tourism recognition

Thailand Incentive and Convention Association asked the Thai government, Friday, to raise tourism industry as a top priority industry that  can aid recovery in the wake of floods.

TICA president, Sumate Sudasna, said the tourism industry could generate 6.5% of the nation’s gross domestic product, or around Bt500,000 million a year, which is the same revenue generated by appliance manufacturing industries.

He claimed that tourism uses 90% local resources, while manufacturing sectors use around 60%, therefore tourism should be a top priority industry for the government to rebuild the economy.

“I believe that incentive market is still popular, but  market behavior will change,” said Mr Sumate. “Incentive trips will be shorter, accommodation will be less luxurious. Meetings will reduce in frequency but the scale of the events will be larger,” he added.

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau forecasts 720,000 MICE travellers generating around Bt50,000 million this year. Next year, 820,000 MICE travellers should generate BtBt70,000 million revenue.

Source - ttrweekly