Interest in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions) on the ...

It is eminent that India is one of the largest democracies with a relatively stable government and favorable business environment making it an attractive destination and a hotspot for inbound and outbound tourist inflows. With an exponential growth in MICE activities in India there is a thirst for more information, knowledge and concrete strategies in this segment.

To quench this appetite, top Indian corporate travel buyers from a variety of multi-national companies, premium wedding planners and high end outbound travel agents are coming together under one platform to attend the cutting edge MICE India Luxury Travel Congress at the Palladium Hotel in Mumbai on 24^th-25^th July 2014.

During the two day conference, the cherry picked “pre-qualified” group of buyers will meet upto 30 MICE suppliers in the MICE sector like Tourism Boards, Hotels, Destination Management Companies, Convention Bureaus, Airlines and Congress Centers representing destinations like: India, UAE, Oman, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, Reunion Island, Switzerland, Turkey, Portugal, Italy, Poland, Russia.

Organised by QNA International, a leading B2B conference organizer from Dubai, the congress is a perfect business platform crafted with pre scheduled 1:1 appointments between service providers all over the world and the most influential buyers from India.

MICE activities play a quintessential function in achieving overall objectives of the organization. “Today when large organizations are finding it difficult to hire and retain talent, the effective use of MICE is showing promising results to ring fence the top talent” says Shivdutt Das, Vice President Head Distribution Intelligence, Strategic Initiatives Product Development, Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Ltd.

Shedding more light on the impact of MICE on corporate identity, Nitish Chopra, Head of MICE branding and communication, JK Cement says, “MICE activities give us a wide canvas on which we may use our own imagination to create unique, differentiated and innovative experiences which help improve the Company’s brand image, strengthen brand loyalty and ultimately has a positive impact on the top and bottom line.” 

Further, bringing forth a unique and fresh perspective to the importance of MICE for corporate Image, Anshu Bagai, Managing Director, AMC Cookware India, a fast growing direct selling company from India, says, “Our sales force basically consists of housewives, who hail from simple middle class families. They hardly get a chance to travel and enjoy new places. So for them, international trips as sales incentives work wonders. It really excites them and motivates them for achieving the sales targets because it is an experience of its own kind to visit a new country, with colleagues and friends.”

One of the emerging trends in MICE includes sending some of the biggest incentive groups abroad, and this initiative is rapidly gaining popularity with the masses. Yateesh Srivastava, Chief Operating Officer, Aegon Religare Life Insurance shares some very interesting insights on this topic, he says “Even today ‘foreign travel’ is viewed as something fairly exotic in India. Hence the sheen of an overseas incentive program is always a bit brighter than a domestic one. Also overseas locations are well-geared in infrastructure terms to handle large groups. In India this sometimes becomes a constraint especially if one is looking at a not so conventional destination. Also for a lot of the participants a foreign holiday is not something that they may be able to afford by themselves.”Vishu Vardan Induri, Founder of Wedmantra gives his perspective on foreign travel and says, “It is a feel good factor for the group and it also leverages value to the company’s brand name.”

Up till a few years back, foreign incentive tours especially with such large number of travelers were few and far between. However there has been a surge in the numbers and frequency oflarge format tours in the recent past. To this viewpoint, Nitish further adds that “the tourism boards of various countries have begun to see merit in hosting such large corporate groups which provide a fillip to their economies. To facilitate inbound travel in their countries, many have taken various initiatives like relaxation of VISA rules and formalities, offeringdiscounts and subsidies on bulk bookings, providing local assistance among other benefits. This support has made foreign travel less tedious, hassle free and a feasible option for corporates than it was before”

“We are seeing a spurt in outbound overseas MICE activity for sure. Also the participant list is becoming broader and more inclusive”, Yateesh Srivastava added.

Some of the Key trends emerging with the boom in the Luxury Travel segment, include destination weddings and sports tourism with an increase in outbound spend and interest.

“The destination wedding market is increasing, destination weddings which were only limited to the rich are now being even considered by middle class families. Also various events seem to be going abroad with support from local tourism bodies.” Adds Vishnu Vardhan Induri, Founder, WEDMANTRA

What is fascinating is the inclusion of new destinations and potential properties to work with, owing to the globalization and higher spending budgets post resuscitation of the economy. Keeping this is mind, The congress is bringing together some of the most exclusive Hotels/Hotel chains, DMCs and leading MICE destinations as partners to meet the growing demands of the attending Indian MICE buyers. AIM Group, Armani Hotel Dubai, The Address Hotels and Resorts Dubai, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, HRH Group of Hotels, Switzerland Convention and Incentive Bureau, Zürich Tourism, Avari Dubai Hotels and Apartments, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, Perpax Travel are the leading silver partners for the congress. Singapore Tourism Board, Tourism Australia, Geneva Tourism and Conventions, Korea Tourism Organization, Reunion Island Tourism, Tourism New Zealand, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, Swissotel the Stamford, Connect World Tours, HaxelEvents and Incentives, Hello Tourism Travel Agency, Dubai Leisure Tourism, Spiceland Holidays, Avista Hotels Resorts, DR Tours, Intercontinental Travel Company and V Resorts are the bronze partners for the summit. The congress is also supported by Fanatic Sports as networking partner, Matrix Cellular as corporate travel brand partner and Business wire India as news distribution partner.

For further information please visit http://www.miltcongress.com

NOTES TO EDITOR

About QnA International

QnA International creates and delivers business learning and development exchange platforms through B2B conferences, bespoke events and trainings. The company also has an expertise in managed conferences and events and key account management. For more information please visit: www.qnainternational.com

Interest in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions) on the ...