MICE, acronym for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions, is the latest buzzword and fastest growing segment in travel and tourism industry serving for business travelers.
Work is definitely the highest priority; but the icing of cake is exploring new destinations with exotica and enjoyment factor. MICE industry adds an exciting layer to business meetings and conferences transforming them to pleasurable from boring work. These are the significance of this latest MICE industry.
India with its rich heritage, natural beauty and vibrant culture already attracts leisure tourists. Together with world class hotels and infrastructure developments, makes India as an attractive MICE destination and also one of the top MICE destinations in ASIA apart from Dubai, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
India’s tourism industry is constantly upgrading its MICE facilities, such as increasing top-notch convention centers, international standard airports and as well integrating traditional Indian hospitality into this modern one to attract MICE travelers. Inbound MICE segment is growing at 15 to 20% annually upward. There are specialized travel divisions within airlines and tour companies to focus exclusively on this MICE segment.
India is well connected by road, rail and air to various destinations apart from exciting travel destinations. Especially, major cities are well connected with Shatabdi and Rajdhani express trains offering good service for travelers. There are unique trains like Royal Orient Express and Palace on Wheels offering a luxurious experience for the guests with their saloons decorated extravagantly with air-conditions.
India has also setup first rate convention centers and corporate hotels to serve business travelers and to grow business tourism in the country. There are business class hotels outfitted with all the accessories ranging from conference and banquet halls, telephone, internet, wifi and fax facilities for the savvy business travelers.
Considering all these aspects, India is definitely poised positively on the MICE path. India is also a preferred MICE destination as there is expansion in the network of airlines operating on the domestic routes, enhanced surface transport system including railways for the tourists, new centers of information technology, lots of new convention centers, hotels and resorts. Also, there are lots to choose from the peaks of the Himalayas to the beaches of kerala, hill stations, deserts and cities pulsating with life to jungles for the business travelers.
India has so many repeat visitors as it has everything that a visitor wants to experience and offers business people a complete holiday, both physically and mentally. India is a cocktail of modernism and ancient existence and these qualities makes an attractive MICE destination.