An overview and identification of barriers affecting the meeting and convention industry in Thailand

Thailand's meeting and convention industry has developed dramatically over the last decade. Interest in the industry has grown, and competition has intensified in the marketplace due to the significant contributions to the local and national economies. Yet, there is a paucity of research exploring Thailand's meeting and convention industry. This article provides an overview of Thailand's meeting and convention industry and identifies strategies that can improve the country's competitiveness. Using primary and secondary data approaches, major barriers are identified, namely, availability of industry information, industry infrastructure (i.e., convention venues, transportation), human resources, industry cooperation, and political instability. Recommendations are proposed to increase the competitiveness of the industry.