The burgeoning events market

With India becoming a chosen destination for MiCE and with increasing globalisation, InterContinental Hotels Group is now set to focus on the MiCE and wedding segments from this market for their properties in the country and outside.

T India market for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is reinforced by its annual showcase in the country. Ryan Morris, Director Regional Sales—Middle East, Africa and India, IHG explained, “India is a growing market for all the hotel companies. We bring the world together in India at IHG Showcase so that they can meet local buyers and understand the market requirements. We want to add value to Indian buyers in the market for which it’s important for us to get familiarised with their buying habits and thereby get closer to the buyers,” he said.

Around 40 hotels from across the world were present at the event held at The Holiday Inn Aerocity, New Delhi. “Hotels from Europe, Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia as well as some representatives from America participated at the event. People have extensively invested in the market and we always try and get new blood into the market who want to invest in the market. The response has been overwhelming in all the cities, right from Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai. Those who want to discover India while wanting the safety associated with the brand, can experience it at multiple properties across the country,” said Morris.

Morris emphasised that weddings is a big sector in India. “A lot of outbound travel takes place for Indian weddings because travellers are looking for experiential ways to celebrate their nuptials that quite often includes new locations. Our banqueting space allows for the typical Indian wedding. However, for outbound weddings, we want to make family travel easy and secure when people are travelling far away. A lot of emphasis is laid on people who support wedding activities,” he shared.

Corporate business is one of the mainstays for IHG’s business. Morris said, “Corporate isn’t just about business travellers but also for a gamut of reasons including product launches, among many others. Corporate is all about people being away from home on business and looking for a home away from home. Today, it’s not just about comfort but also ease of use, good Wi-Fi, easy check-in, and seamless check-out.” He claimed that IHG has invested in India with a semiownership model. “We have taken on 10 Holiday Inn Express properties in the market. Our main brand Holiday Inn is also present in India with the hotel. Crowne Plaza is a growing brand in the market. We have started to work closely with the owners and give them a great return. We also want to be closer to travellers and for the local travellers,” he shared.

Setting a robust target in 2019, he said, “We enjoyed strong growth in the corporate and MiCE business in 2018. We are looking to witness the same this year with a doubledigit growth. In fact, here we breaking new grounds because as the Indian economy matures, so does the Indian traveller. We have to constantly to ensure that people enjoy their stay with us whilst wanting to come back to IHG.”

With a strong growth in MiCE business in 2018, we are looking to achieve the same this year with a double-digit growth