BANGKOK, March 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The 10 ASEAN Tourism Ministers agreed to create a common professional standard for MICE professionals and event professionals to enhance ASEAN’s competitiveness as a MICE destination. The ASEAN Tourism Professionals Mutual Recognition Agreement (TP’s ASEAN MRA) for MICE Professionals and Event Professionals was approved during the 26th ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Implementation of the approved standards will begin later this year.
Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), said: “ASEAN member countries have long prioritized professional development in tourism. Since its inception in 2012, the ASEAN MRA on TP has guided ASEAN countries in developing their tourism workforce in two areas: 1) Hospitality Services and 2) Tourism Services. In 2021, the scope of the MRA was expanded to include two new categories: 1) MICE professionals and 2) event professionals. The move was aimed at fostering cooperation and promoting mobility among ASEAN MICE professionals. Each category was assigned a host country whose task was to formulate a set of professional standards specific to that category.
“On the behalf of ThailandTCEB has accepted the role of host for the Event Professionals category. We worked with partner agencies such as of Thailand Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, MICE-related associations and educational institutions to prepare a proposal for professional standards for 11 posts – 1. Project Manager, 2. Production Manager, 3. Show Manager, 4. Coordinator of Events, 5. Marketing Coordinator, 6. Event Registration Supervisor, 7. Event Administration Supervisor, 8. Event Registration Staff, 9. Event Transportation Staff, 10. Liaison Officer and 11. General Support staff. We appreciate the input we received from industry and tourism authorities from all ASEAN member countries in the process, and we are pleased that TCEB’s proposal was endorsed at the 26th ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting.”
At the same meeting, ASEAN tourism ministers also endorsed the proposal by Indonesia for the MICE professionals category, which covers 21 positions.
Mr. Chiruit added that with ASEAN MRA’s approval of TP for MICE and event professionals, TCEB has started to promote the idea of certification for event professionals. For this reason, a forum was organized on March 2, 2023 at Sukosol Hotel, Bangkok. It attracted more than 500 participants and gave life to newly developed professional standards, while private and public sector players discussed the mechanics of organizing an international event and the specialized roles involved.
To further promote professional standards in the region, TCEB launched an ASEAN Grand Master Training Program to expand the pool of Grand Master Assessors who can support the implementation of the new standards in all ASEAN countries. The program will start Bangkok and run while September 2024. a”Thailand The assessor training program will follow suit in 2025 to ensure there are enough qualified assessors to of Thailand internal search. of Thailand The goal is to produce 50 certified event professionals by 2026. This is part of the broader goal for ASEAN as a whole to produce more than 1,000 certified MICE and event professionals.
“The ASEAN MICE industry is not only a growing sector but also an economic engine for many member countries. By adopting a single standard for MICE and event professionals, we will be able to improve the mobility of our MICE workforce and further liberalize trade and services while harmonizing training, instruction and capacity building,” added Mr Chirwitt.
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About TCEB
A LEADING AGENCY ON THE FRONT FRONTS OF IN THAILAND MOUSE INDUSTRY
Established in 2004, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (a public body) or TCEB – the government agency under the supervision of the Prime Minister – was given the role to promote, support and develop the business events industry – corporate meetings, incentive travel, conventions, exhibitions, mega events and world festivals. Serving as a strategic partner, TCEB helps provide creative ideas and solutions to bring success and meet business event requirements. The main goal is to drive Thailand to become a global MICE and mega events destination that can drive the country’s strategic industries and national economy.
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SOURCE Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)