The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) recently announced a five year plan that projects roughly 1.45 million business travel visitors for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) by 2016; Thailand expects 828,000 MICE visitors for 2012. Revenue from MICE travelers is also expected to grow by 87 percent during this time.

According to Mr. Akapol Sorasuchart, president for TCEB, Thailand recognizes the important role that the business meetings sector contributes to the overall economy. While the MICE sector is expected to account for roughly 9.13% of total tourism revenue in 2011, it’s share is expected to grow to 18.35% by 2016 with revenues of about 4.36 billion (USD).

London and Partners announced the calendar of events at IMEX America, a trade show for the worldwide meetings, events and incentive travel industry in Las Vegas at the Sands Expo (October 11-13, 2011).