2012 2013 Bright prospects for MICE despite odds Bright prospects

Indian corporates are travelling! And India outbound is claiming more numbers than India inbound. So there are MICE activities being planned and travel budgets being discussed and revised, even as tour operators, venues, hotels, airlines are gearing up to

There are several reasons to believe that 2013 will be a good year for MICE. The year 2012 has shown that in spite of the obvious hiccups like tighter travel budgets, cancellations or postponement of corporate offsites, shorter travel itineraries or rise in airline taxes or higher service tax because of the uncertain economic scenario and rising prices, there has been growth in MICE travel, something that has lead the respondents to predict an even brighter picture for this niche sector in the coming year.

Looking for newer destinations: While the bigger corporates are keen to explore newer destinations like Sri Lanka, Korea or the Philippines, the smaller corporates are willing to explore more domestic destinations for meetings and conferences.

Revival of incentive travel: Companies are willing to spend on their employees, to reward them for a job well done.

Upsurge in the hospitality sector: With major hotel brands opening the doors to new properties, marketing their MICE facilities and projecting themselves as MICE hotels, Corporates from India now have more options. A number of hotels believe that MICE will be a strong pillar for business in 2013 and acknowledge that it has been a major contributor in spite of the slow 2012 business.

Expectations from the Ministry of Tourism: To promote India as a MICE destination which means pushing for a better infrastructure. MICE Industry is adapting to the changing world economic scenario described as the ‘new normal’.

There have been investments in newer products and experiences to satisfy the discerning corporate travellers.

The easing of the visa norms in some countries has encouraged group travel.

The National Tourist Offices of several destinations have reported an increase in

queries for MICE.

MICE planners are noticing that luxury is coming back to the consciousness of MICE travellers in spite of the close scrutiny of corporate budgets.

Hoteliers are positive about a double digit growth in 2013.

Airlines are investing in newer routes, resulting in better connectivity and more group travel. The airport infrastructure has also improved tremendously.

Read on to find out more from the industry stalwarts…