editorial

Dear Reader,

The global market for MiCE has seen significant growth this year. Outbound and inbound movement to and from India has also been on the rise. As per some studies, India is the 10th largest market in the world for MiCE travel, with approximately 1.5 million people travelling for MiCE purposes. India has also moved up to occupy the 31st rank, previously 35th in 2014, in global MiCE business as per an ICCA study. This segment is targeted and routed as one of the most attractive and lucrative. In our yearly round-up article, we focus on global trends that MiCE is foreseeing and what the Indian market has in store in terms of inbound and outbound for this year and the next.

The Department of Tourism (DOT), Philippines, recently conducted ‘Focus Philippines’, an interactive and inclusive event between suppliers and leading travel agents in India. More than 3000 B2B meetings were held at the event. Flip over and read on as we get you the event report.

For long, New York City has been considered by Indians as a traditional VFR market. Indian companies, however, are now slowly looking at it as a new and exciting city that offers a host of offbeat and unconventional venues for events and incentives. In our destination article, we find out more about this one-stop shop suitable for meetings, trade shows, conventions and events. The Indian market continues to be the number one source market for Dubai; about two million Indians travelled last year from India to Dubai. Between 30-40 per cent of these visitors travelled due to business and related matters. In an interview, Karina Lance, Senior Manager, Sales and Convention Services, Dubai Business Events, tells us more about Dubai’s MiCE offerings.

Thirty four years since its inception and after touring 450 cities in 60 countries, Cirque du Soleil will now travel to India. We bring you a heads-up on the show and related group bookings. With the big fat Indian wedding now coming of age and the number of wedding planners on the rise, our counsellor, Shivani Misri Sadhoo, shares why wedding experts are the go-to people in today’s era.

Keep reading and giving your feedback to us at: micetalk@ddppl.com