The statistics from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) put business events visitors for the October to September Thai financial year at 1.16 million, just short of the pre-pandemic high of 1.2 million, which came in 2019.
Top source markets for business events visitors were mostly out of Asia, including China, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Germany and the US were also amongst the top markets.
In terms of delegates, conferences in Thailand saw a near 200 per cent rise in numbers, with notable meetings including the 74th FIFA Congress, being held in Southeast Asia for the first time, and the global ICCA Congress, held in Bangkok for 1,000 delegates in November 2023.
TCEB is expecting another big year in 2025, with several events poised to draw between 5,000 and 10,000 delegates each.
These large scale future meetings include fintech event Money 20/20 Asia 2025 for 5,000 attendees, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) World Diabetes Congress 2025 for up to 10,000 delegates and the Asia Pacific Life Insurance Congress (APLIC 2025) for another 10,000 attendees.
Alongside this, food and beverage trade show THAIFEX-Anuga Asia 2025 is expected to attract 85,000 participants.
“With the record performance in 2024, TCEB would like to thank overseas MICE travellers for their trust and confidence in Thailand,” said TCEB president, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya.
“TCEB and Thai MICE entrepreneurs will always strive to deliver high value to clients because we are well-aware that the economic challenges are driving the needs for more return on investment and return on experience.
“We aim to achieve higher at 1.4 million overseas travellers in [the] 2025 fiscal year.”
