Raising the MICE stakes in India
India is expected to become more competitive in the convention business in the coming years as hotel rates fall, infrastructure improves and marketing initiatives gather momentum.
Speaking at The Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings India (IT&CM India) 2012, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) CEO Martin Sirk expressed his optimism based on the fact that as the new hotels come up in several cities, the rates will become more competitive and hence bidding for meets will become more attractive.
He noted that in the past high hotel tariffs have deterred some international bodies from coming to India for the MICE segment.
He also noted that new convention centres were coming up in several cities and this too will help. India is very good creatively and the events held here were memorable for their originality, he said, adding that the main business side of the events should not be forgotten.
Chander Mansharamani, Vice Chairman of the India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB), said that they proposed to enlarge the activities of the bureau and form chapters in cities where convention centres were coming up. Also, the Marketing Assistance Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism was being expanded to include the MICE segments so that people and associations abroad can learn about what India has to offer.
IT&CM 2012 is underway in Delhi today. Pegged as an international MICE business, education and networking event that advances opportunities of ‘Promoting India to the World and the World to India’. The event runs 21 – 23 August at Delhi’s India Expo Centre & Mart, attracting 350 delegates from 57 countries and media from 16 countries.