PHUKET'S MICE industry won major support today from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau with the signing of an MoU aimed at boosting Phuket's appeal to groups looking for a convention site that offers more.
Phuket is already being described as ''a global city.''
On the key issue of public transport, a statement paper had this to say about improved transportation links to Bangkok, ''with travel times of not more than 150 minutes, including a mass transit rail project, track upgrading for high-speed trains, and upgrading to double-tracks.''
More will be revealed, no doubt. Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha signed a Memorandum of Understanding with TCEB Chairman Anusak Inthraphuvasak before a crowd of interested onloookers at the Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa, east of Phuket City.
Thailand has allocated 5.7 billion baht for a convention centre, to be built at Mai Khao in northern Phuket. But opportunities are already emerging, with Phuket just an hour by air from Bangkok and within easy reach of many of the region's major cities.
Laguna Phuket has an Amway conference in the planning stages for 20,000 visitors.
Underway soon will be an education program aimed at improving knowledge of how to stage MICE events. The aim will be to lift Phuket's event management standards to new levels.
The secretary general of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, Dr Sirichai Silpa-Ar-Cha, said Phuket still needs to standardise such important items as construction standards and public transport needed improvement, but MICE would definitely be a part of Phuket's future.
Here's the detailed briefing delivered by Chairman Anusak and TCEB President Akapol Sorasuchart.
The Phuket MICE City Project
Project objectives
.. to develop the province of Phuket as a hub for meetings, incentive tourism and regional trade shows
.. To enhance facilities for both local people and overseas MICE visitors as part of Phuket's development policy.
Project description
The Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions industry (collectively referred to as MICE), is today considered a very important industry sector, and is one of the country's top earners of foreign exchange revenue, though the majority of such events are held in Bangkok.
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organisation) was established by Royal Decree in 2002, or B.E. 2545. TCEB's mission is to serve as the main agency responsible for promoting conferences, incentive tourism and exhibitions in Thailand, to support the development of Thailand's MICE industry and enhance the country's standing as a global hub for international MICE events.
Currently, the province of Phuket is considered ready and well-placed to organize more international conferences and exhibitions. Phuket offers an alternative choice as the event industry grows.
Phuket's status as the commercial and tourism hub of Thailand's southern region, earns considerable revenues for local communities, and fosters knowledge and technology transfer in secondary industry sectors.
Therefore, promoting and supporting Phuket's international MICE industry, apart from supporting TCEB's national-level goals, also benefits Phuket and its people.
Promoting Phuket's MICE industry will bring many benefits and help it compete as a global city. TCEB and Phuket province have therefore agreed to cooperate in developing an action plan to promote the province's MICE industry. The two partners will work together on the following:
1. The two partners will cooperate in promoting organisation of conferences, incentive tourism, international conventions and exhibitions in the province of Phuket.
2. The two partners will cooperate to jointly publicize Phuket's MICE industry, both domestically and internationally
3. The two partners will promote mutual exchange of knowledge related to the MICE industry, and disseminate to other relevant agencies.
4. The two partners will exchange information for planning purposes, including construction of infrastructure, transportation and mass transit in Phuket in order to enhance Phuket's competitiveness as a global MICE destination.
5. The two partners will jointly develop personnel associated with the MICE industry, in order to enhance the province's potential and competitiveness.
6. The two partners will jointly develop and implement action plans to promote the MICE industry.
Data on Phuket MICE City
1. Phuket International Airport
.. Phuket airport is just over 1 hour away from Suvarnabhumi International Airport
..The airport accommodates 6.5 million domestic and overseas passengers per year
..With a current average of 416 flights a week, an expansion plan will cater for 15 million passengers per year. The Cabinet has approved a budget of Baht 5.7 billion, and the project will be completed by 2012.
2. Infrastructure and investment plans (short and long-term)
.. Improved transportation links to Bangkok, with travel times of not more than 150 minutes, including a mass transit rail project, track upgrading for high-speed trains, and upgrading to double-tracks. There will be additional investment in upgrading transportation and logistics systems.
..Travel time by air from Bangkok to Phuket will be reduced to approximately 60 minutes, and a deep-sea port, and key projects to upgrade communications, including construction of a light railway to connect different areas of the island / road networks connected to the rail network between the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea coasts, and the road network on the Andaman coast / road construction projects under high voltage power transmission lines / construction of new bus station / upgrading and development of tourist port at Chalong Bay.
3. Accommodation and Public Health
..Phuket has all types of accommodation, including 5-star, 4-star and 3-star hotels and other accommodation categories that can support the event; the province is also accessible from other provinces within a travel time of about 90-120 minutes.
..A total of 628 5-star, 4-star, 3-star hotels and other types of accommodation on the island.
..A total of 37,543 rooms, in addition to 20,000 rooms at resort and villa accommodation, serving approximately 4.7 million visitors per year. Hotel growth potential in Phuket province is projected at 6.6 percent per year.
..There are also 295 hotels with 12,240 rooms in the adjacent province of Krabi, and 112 hotels with 4126 rooms in Phangnga province.
..There are hospitals and public health systems, with 6 major public hospitals and four private hospitals, along with 3 public health centres on the island.
4. A province with a strategic development plan in line with the National Economic and Social Development Plan
..The province plans to develop clear plans and strategies in line with the National Economic and Social Development Plan, viz: a world-class marine tourism hub, good quality of life, unique culture, and a clear path towards sustainable development. Projects that have already received Cabinet approval include the Phuket International Airport expansion project, construction of an International Convention Centre, etc.
International level.
4.1. The Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) aims to promote economic relations among the three countries in order to share their economic resources to maximize efficiency and mutual benefit.
4.2. The BIMSTEC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation) agreement aims to show the collective intent to strengthen cooperation in the tourism sectors of these 7 countries, making use of joint marketing strategies to boost tourism in all member countries, conduct exchange visits and share marketing information as well as strengthen tourism cooperation in the sub-region.
4.3. The ASEAN Tourism Cooperation (ASEAN Tourism) agreement aims to promote tourism within member countries, and encourage visitors from other regions to travel to the 10 ASEAN member countries
4.4. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) aims to promote international tourism at government level. Permanent representatives located in each region are responsible for technical cooperation, promoting activities, disseminating tourism news and information, and offer guidance for human resources development.
5. Cultural diversity and tourist attractions
o Phuket is steeped in art and culture, and blessed with outstanding natural beauty. It includes areas in the Andaman group of provinces currently under consideration as World Heritage sites for their pristine marine environment.
o Phuket is a tourist centre for the Andaman Triangle region. Phuket's top selling points are its sandy beaches and diverse entertainment, sport and recreational activities, especially water sports, stunning natural beauty, attractive beaches, eco-tourism opportunities and sightseeing. Phuket also has a important cultural, historical and religious heritage.
6. Phuket Convention and Exhibition Centre.
..Phuket has received Cabinet approval for construction of an International Convention and Exhibition Centre, which will be developed as a centre for education and learning in regard to nature and environmental conservation.
The provincial government plans to construct the convention centre project to stimulate Phuket's MICE market. This project is expected to be completed by 2012, with the first phase of the land to build the convention centre covering 150 rai.
7. Natural features as selling points of Phuket province.
..Phuket has been called "The Pearl of the Andaman," due to its stunning beauty and unique natural heritage, history and culture. Four basic themes have been identified as follows:
1. From the beauty of nature to world creativity - linking the beauty of nature with the evolving new world and creativity of the younger generation.
2. Back to the nature of sustainable living
3. Back to the nature of sustainable living - looking back to preserve the essence of our basic roots, which still provide the foundation for our modern lives. For example, nature, arts and culture are an important basis for Thai cuisine, costume and marine tourism.
4. Preserve the beauty of our nature for the next generation: combining the natural beauty of the sea with Phuket's diverse cultural heritage, and linking with modern-day appreciation of the beauty and value of nature and cultural identity. These values are important to well-being of future generations, both physically and mentally.
5. Global Great Leap Forward: Benefits to mankind - rapid global transformations that benefit mankind.
Patong, Phuket City Tuk-Tuk, Airport Taxi Fares FlaggedPhuket is already being described as ''a global city.''
On the key issue of public transport, a statement paper had this to say about improved transportation links to Bangkok, ''with travel times of not more than 150 minutes, including a mass transit rail project, track upgrading for high-speed trains, and upgrading to double-tracks.''
More will be revealed, no doubt. Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha signed a Memorandum of Understanding with TCEB Chairman Anusak Inthraphuvasak before a crowd of interested onloookers at the Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa, east of Phuket City.
Thailand has allocated 5.7 billion baht for a convention centre, to be built at Mai Khao in northern Phuket. But opportunities are already emerging, with Phuket just an hour by air from Bangkok and within easy reach of many of the region's major cities.
Laguna Phuket has an Amway conference in the planning stages for 20,000 visitors.
Underway soon will be an education program aimed at improving knowledge of how to stage MICE events. The aim will be to lift Phuket's event management standards to new levels.
The secretary general of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, Dr Sirichai Silpa-Ar-Cha, said Phuket still needs to standardise such important items as construction standards and public transport needed improvement, but MICE would definitely be a part of Phuket's future.
Here's the detailed briefing delivered by Chairman Anusak and TCEB President Akapol Sorasuchart.
The Phuket MICE City Project
Project objectives
.. to develop the province of Phuket as a hub for meetings, incentive tourism and regional trade shows
.. To enhance facilities for both local people and overseas MICE visitors as part of Phuket's development policy.
Project description
The Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions industry (collectively referred to as MICE), is today considered a very important industry sector, and is one of the country's top earners of foreign exchange revenue, though the majority of such events are held in Bangkok.
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organisation) was established by Royal Decree in 2002, or B.E. 2545. TCEB's mission is to serve as the main agency responsible for promoting conferences, incentive tourism and exhibitions in Thailand, to support the development of Thailand's MICE industry and enhance the country's standing as a global hub for international MICE events.
Currently, the province of Phuket is considered ready and well-placed to organize more international conferences and exhibitions. Phuket offers an alternative choice as the event industry grows.
Phuket's status as the commercial and tourism hub of Thailand's southern region, earns considerable revenues for local communities, and fosters knowledge and technology transfer in secondary industry sectors.
Therefore, promoting and supporting Phuket's international MICE industry, apart from supporting TCEB's national-level goals, also benefits Phuket and its people.
Promoting Phuket's MICE industry will bring many benefits and help it compete as a global city. TCEB and Phuket province have therefore agreed to cooperate in developing an action plan to promote the province's MICE industry. The two partners will work together on the following:
1. The two partners will cooperate in promoting organisation of conferences, incentive tourism, international conventions and exhibitions in the province of Phuket.
2. The two partners will cooperate to jointly publicize Phuket's MICE industry, both domestically and internationally
3. The two partners will promote mutual exchange of knowledge related to the MICE industry, and disseminate to other relevant agencies.
4. The two partners will exchange information for planning purposes, including construction of infrastructure, transportation and mass transit in Phuket in order to enhance Phuket's competitiveness as a global MICE destination.
5. The two partners will jointly develop personnel associated with the MICE industry, in order to enhance the province's potential and competitiveness.
6. The two partners will jointly develop and implement action plans to promote the MICE industry.
Data on Phuket MICE City
1. Phuket International Airport
.. Phuket airport is just over 1 hour away from Suvarnabhumi International Airport
..The airport accommodates 6.5 million domestic and overseas passengers per year
..With a current average of 416 flights a week, an expansion plan will cater for 15 million passengers per year. The Cabinet has approved a budget of Baht 5.7 billion, and the project will be completed by 2012.
2. Infrastructure and investment plans (short and long-term)
.. Improved transportation links to Bangkok, with travel times of not more than 150 minutes, including a mass transit rail project, track upgrading for high-speed trains, and upgrading to double-tracks. There will be additional investment in upgrading transportation and logistics systems.
..Travel time by air from Bangkok to Phuket will be reduced to approximately 60 minutes, and a deep-sea port, and key projects to upgrade communications, including construction of a light railway to connect different areas of the island / road networks connected to the rail network between the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea coasts, and the road network on the Andaman coast / road construction projects under high voltage power transmission lines / construction of new bus station / upgrading and development of tourist port at Chalong Bay.
3. Accommodation and Public Health
..Phuket has all types of accommodation, including 5-star, 4-star and 3-star hotels and other accommodation categories that can support the event; the province is also accessible from other provinces within a travel time of about 90-120 minutes.
..A total of 628 5-star, 4-star, 3-star hotels and other types of accommodation on the island.
..A total of 37,543 rooms, in addition to 20,000 rooms at resort and villa accommodation, serving approximately 4.7 million visitors per year. Hotel growth potential in Phuket province is projected at 6.6 percent per year.
..There are also 295 hotels with 12,240 rooms in the adjacent province of Krabi, and 112 hotels with 4126 rooms in Phangnga province.
..There are hospitals and public health systems, with 6 major public hospitals and four private hospitals, along with 3 public health centres on the island.
4. A province with a strategic development plan in line with the National Economic and Social Development Plan
..The province plans to develop clear plans and strategies in line with the National Economic and Social Development Plan, viz: a world-class marine tourism hub, good quality of life, unique culture, and a clear path towards sustainable development. Projects that have already received Cabinet approval include the Phuket International Airport expansion project, construction of an International Convention Centre, etc.
International level.
4.1. The Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) aims to promote economic relations among the three countries in order to share their economic resources to maximize efficiency and mutual benefit.
4.2. The BIMSTEC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation) agreement aims to show the collective intent to strengthen cooperation in the tourism sectors of these 7 countries, making use of joint marketing strategies to boost tourism in all member countries, conduct exchange visits and share marketing information as well as strengthen tourism cooperation in the sub-region.
4.3. The ASEAN Tourism Cooperation (ASEAN Tourism) agreement aims to promote tourism within member countries, and encourage visitors from other regions to travel to the 10 ASEAN member countries
4.4. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) aims to promote international tourism at government level. Permanent representatives located in each region are responsible for technical cooperation, promoting activities, disseminating tourism news and information, and offer guidance for human resources development.
5. Cultural diversity and tourist attractions
o Phuket is steeped in art and culture, and blessed with outstanding natural beauty. It includes areas in the Andaman group of provinces currently under consideration as World Heritage sites for their pristine marine environment.
o Phuket is a tourist centre for the Andaman Triangle region. Phuket's top selling points are its sandy beaches and diverse entertainment, sport and recreational activities, especially water sports, stunning natural beauty, attractive beaches, eco-tourism opportunities and sightseeing. Phuket also has a important cultural, historical and religious heritage.
6. Phuket Convention and Exhibition Centre.
..Phuket has received Cabinet approval for construction of an International Convention and Exhibition Centre, which will be developed as a centre for education and learning in regard to nature and environmental conservation.
The provincial government plans to construct the convention centre project to stimulate Phuket's MICE market. This project is expected to be completed by 2012, with the first phase of the land to build the convention centre covering 150 rai.
7. Natural features as selling points of Phuket province.
..Phuket has been called "The Pearl of the Andaman," due to its stunning beauty and unique natural heritage, history and culture. Four basic themes have been identified as follows:
1. From the beauty of nature to world creativity - linking the beauty of nature with the evolving new world and creativity of the younger generation.
2. Back to the nature of sustainable living
3. Back to the nature of sustainable living - looking back to preserve the essence of our basic roots, which still provide the foundation for our modern lives. For example, nature, arts and culture are an important basis for Thai cuisine, costume and marine tourism.
4. Preserve the beauty of our nature for the next generation: combining the natural beauty of the sea with Phuket's diverse cultural heritage, and linking with modern-day appreciation of the beauty and value of nature and cultural identity. These values are important to well-being of future generations, both physically and mentally.
5. Global Great Leap Forward: Benefits to mankind - rapid global transformations that benefit mankind.
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