Setting up convention bureaus
Economy and its uncertainty is driving everything. With changing needs, there is now a focus on association business thanks to the various policy measures undertaken by the Government that has aided the Indian travel, tourism and hospitality industry’s growth. There are concerted efforts by both the private and public sectors to develop world class MICE infrastructure enabling India as a global MICE brand to take advantage of the burgeoning global MICE business. The association business has evolved from being the activity to the platform for all activities.
Prasant Saha, Managing Director,
CIMGLOBAL speaks up, “India is one of the leading science and technology research and innovation centre in the world today. Every Association knows that meeting and collaborating is the only way to keep pace with the world. The world knows India cannot be ignored because of the amount of development happening in this country. India has also shown its capability in coming together successfully in hosting some of the prestigious World Congresses - be it
There has to be an aggressive and unified MICE marketing approach, and the proven model internationally is by setting up of convention bureaus
Commonwealth games, HUGO Conference (Human Genome Organisation), COP Biodiversity, etc. The industry is professional and delivers to international standards at lower costs than the countries in the American continents or Europe. The marketing efforts have been mainly by probably a handful of private organisations. The Government of India, the State Governments have not contributed much to them earlier. But now we see the Government earmarking budgets for MICE infrastructure and MICE marketing.” He added, “In my opinion, there has to be an aggressive unified MICE marketing approach, and the proven model internationally is by setting up of convention bureaus. For example, Hyderabad today has one of the finest Conference centre called HICC managed by the Accor Group, thanks to the Andhra Pradesh Government and the setting up of India’s first CVB that has made Hyderabad an exception and has been voted Asia’s best MICE centre. India, with more than 50 metro cities, has only one CVB which is one of the factors of other cities recognised as MICE destination on the global map. The same convention bureau can also advise and work with the Government and drive more convention centres.”