Illustrative image (Source: VNA)The approval of ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals(ASEAN MRA on TP) for MICE Professionals and Event Professionals was madeduring the 26th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministerial in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.The professional standards of these two categories become effective in allmember countries.
President of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) ChiruitIsarangkun Na Ayuthaya stated that ASEAN member countries have always jointlyprioritised professional development. Since 2012, the ASEAN MRA on TP has beendeveloped as the collective operational plan for ASEAN countries, applicable intwo fields - Hotel Services and Travel Services. Later in 2021, the ASEANTourism Ministers agreed upon the amendments of such arrangement by includingtwo more categories - MICE Professionals and Event Professionals - as a meansto upgrade and expand the cooperation in the facilitation for the mobility ofASEAN professionals in tourism and MICE industries.
Representing Thailand, TCEB has accepted the role of the host in handling thearrangement and development of ASEAN professional standard for EventProfessionals, in collaboration with such partner agencies as Department ofTourism, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, MICE-related associations andeducational networks. Progress reports were made and approved by the ASEANTourism Ministers to cover 11 positions.
Side by side, the MICE Professionals field, by which Indonesia is the host ofarrangement and development, was approved by the ASEAN Tourism Ministers in thesame session as Thailand, covering 21 professional positions.
Chiruit added that TCEB is moving forward in raising the awareness of localMICE professionals so that they can learn and understand about ASEANprofessional standards in the field of Event Professionals.
To further the professional standard on the assigned field, TCEB has scheduledthe “ASEAN Grand Master Training” or Master Assessor for representatives ofASEAN countries, which is expected to be completed by September 2024. In 2025,the “Thailand Assessor Training” is scheduled for assessors in MICE industry sothat they are ready for the examination in certifying the professional standardof event professionals in Thailand. It is targeted that, the number of MICEpersonnel earning Event Professionals certification in Thailand will reach 50in 2026 and more than 1,000 in ASEAN are certified MICE Professionals and EventProfessionals in combination.
“MICE industry is not only a sector experiencing consistent growth but also adriver of the national economy. Certified standards for MICE Professionals andEvent Professionals in ASEAN will contribute more to the liberalisation oftrade and services in the region and offer enhanced convenience for MICEprofessionals in their cross-border operation within ASEAN. Their talents andcapabilities are collectively recognised at a regional scale, hence, promotinglearning, instruction and capacity training based on a unified standard. Withthis, the competitiveness of MICE industry in Thailand and other membercountries of ASEAN will be enhanced and upgraded”, concluded Chiruit./.
VNA
