Big Indian Meet-Up

A look at how India is rising as a key global MICE player

- Sanchita Nambiar

As India gears up to make its ITB (Internationale Tourismus-Börse — one of the world’s largest tourism trade fairs) debut in April this year, the country’s position as a MICE hub for corporates around the globe strengthens. As per the recent report by the International Congress and Convention Association (a prominent organization in the world of international meetings), India stands at the 28th position in the global meetings market worldwide and at the seventh spot in the Asia Pacific region.

Expressing his views on this upsurge, Rakesh Mitra, corporate general manager, sales and revenue, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group says, “It is an Asian century. The MICE market is shifting to Asia and the world is looking towards India and China for business. There has been an increase in the inbound movement over the years and with many multinational corporations coming to develop their businesses in India, the MICE sector’s share in the overall revenue of the country has steadily picked up.”

An enhanced infrastructure, diverse conference venues and a fast-growing start-up scene are a few factors driving mid- and large-scale MICE projects in India. “The MICE sector is emerging as the most significant sub-sector of the travel industry owing to its greater per capita consumption contrasting to leisure tourism, and furthermore its role in growing a destination’s profile,” says Pankaj Wadhwa, director of sales and marketing, Sofitel Mumbai BKC, a prominent MICE hotel in Mumbai.

KEY HOTSPOTS

Along with Sofitel Mumbai BKC, Mumbai boasts an array of state-of-the-art MICE hubs — The St. Regis Mumbai; Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai; The Oberoi, Mumbai; Jio World Garden and Bombay Exhibition Centre. These premium venues combined with talented event planning companies make Mumbai a preferred choice among international travellers.