By Derrick Ho

SINGAPORE and seven other Asian visitor bureaus have come together to boost the region's market share in the growing business events industry by relaunching the Asian Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (AACVB).

The association - made up of visitor bureaus from China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand - hopes to drive more business events to the region through the establishment of a shared data bank. The AACVB was first launched in 1983.

'At least eight convention and visitor bureaus will put cooperation ahead of competition and raise the level of sophistication of the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition (Mice) sectors in Asia. Our aim is to increase competitiveness and drive new MICE business to our region.' AACVB chairperson, Ms Suprabha Moleeratanond told a press gathering at tourism trade fair in Frankfurt on Tuesday.

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Ms Suprabha, AACVB chairperson, also told the press that the AACVB's eight voting members had signed up for an aggressive new agenda that will attract intra-regional conventions.

According to her, this new agenda aims to impress client organisations in Asia through training programmes.

Areas such as training programmes and accreditation will be looked into to raise industry standards and professionalism.

Ms Suprabha said: "A successful MICE sector doesn't just happen.

"Sought-after MICE destinations work hard to offer value, service, accessibility, cultural variety, safety and a highly rewarding experience for all participants."