Vikash Kejriwal, CEO, SKILTop MICE destinations stay ahead as they show excellence in providing policy support, world-class infrastructure, and accessibility. Vikash Kejriwal feels that there has also been a rise of aspirational, sustainable destinations like Da Nang, Bali, and Langkawi that are now on corporate radars. Experience, safety, and personalisation are outweighing legacy price-point negotiations when it comes to procurement for events.
In an interview with Travel Daily Media (TDM) Vikash Kejriwal, CEO, SKIL shares more on MICE, event management, India outbound MICE trends, corporate travel trends and tells us about the privilege of creating moments that matter…
Travel Daily Media (TDM): What inspired you to choose a career in travel, hospitality and event management? What have been your best experiences in being part of this journey?
Vikash Kejriwal (VK): My journey into this industry wasn’t planned ‐ it was instinctive. What started as an operational curiosity evolved into a deep appreciation for what travel and events can truly accomplish when done right. The sectors of mobility, hospitality, and experience management have historically functioned in silos. At SKIL, we set out to change that by building an integrated ecosystem where travel is not just about transit, and events are not just about glamour. They are both about purpose and impact.
One of the most fulfilling chapters was transforming SKIL Cabs from a conventional car rental provider into a tech-enabled mobility solution that supports both day-to-day corporate needs and large-scale movement during mega-events. To see that evolution recognised nationally reaffirmed the path we chose. And in a space that evolves by the minute ‐ with new platforms, shifting expectations, and global disruptions ‐ there’s always a reason to innovate.
TDM: Which are the top performing MICE cities in Asia Pacific? What trends do you see shaping business travel in Asia Pacific, especially post the pandemic?
VK: Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Tokyo remain MICE powerhouses due to policy support, world-class infrastructure, and accessibility. However, what’s interesting is the rise of aspirational, sustainable destinations like Da Nang, Bali, and Langkawi that are now on corporate radars.
Post-pandemic, we’re seeing a return of intent in business travel. There’s greater focus on ROI, purpose-driven engagements, hybrid models, and sustainability. Companies are consciously shrinking group sizes but raising experience standards. At SKIL, we’ve responded with MICE programs that are ESG-aligned, modular, and value-driven ‐ so clients get the best of both worlds: impact and efficiency.
TDM: Which are the top performing MICE cities in India? Which major corporate events have you covered here in 2025? What were the PAX statistics for the same? What’s on the cards for 2026?
VK: The Indian MICE circuit thrives in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Goa, and Jaipur. These cities combine strong aviation links, destination appeal, and operational depth. In 2025 alone, SKIL has executed over 120+ business events across India.
Two events stand out: A 20,000 pax multi-national networking and product launch event in a stadium in Delhi, and a 700+ pax Corporate Offsite in Goa focused on employee experience. Both events combined hybrid streaming, custom app engagement, and seamless backend logistics.
In 2026, we’re scaling further ‐ with cross-border MICE exchanges, high-impact industry fairs, and state-level government partnerships. We anticipate a 20‐25% growth in MICE-linked business travel volume.
TDM: What are the nuances of managing artist events across India? Which are the most popular cities for their events? How do you handle crowd management?
VK: Artist events are a high-octane blend of creativity and control. No two shows are the same, and no city follows a standard playbook. Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Goa continue to dominate because of their infrastructure and cultural appetite, but every market has its own quirks ‐ from noise regulations to licensing complexities.
What we’ve learned is that predictability comes from preparation. At SKIL, we’ve built custom dashboards and on-ground SOPs that track artist movement, crew rosters, equipment logistics, and real-time audience engagement. Crowd management, especially, is a multi-agency effort involving local law enforcement, private security, and emergency services. But beyond control, our intent is to enhance experience ‐ so the audience leaves with joy, not just a selfie.
Partnering with emergency personnel, private security, and local authorities so as to guarantee that visitors' experiences don't stop. We aim to create engaging, pleasant experiences, in addition to crowd administration.
TDM: What are the trends that you are seeing among business and corporate travellers across India? Could you please support the revert with some statistics?
VK: Today’s business traveller is informed, tech-savvy, and purpose-led. Our internal research across 40 enterprise clients reveals that:
- 78% now prefer smartphone-first platforms for booking and trip management.
- Over 60% of corporate travellers extended their trips for leisure ("bleisure") in Q2 2025.
- ESG is no longer an option ‐ it’s expected. Clients demand visibility into emissions, carbon tracking, and sustainability credentials.
There’s also a shift in procurement priorities. Experience, safety, and personalisation are outweighing legacy price-point negotiations. Our fastest-growing segment includes curated travel for women leaders, CXOs, and sector-specific delegations.
TDM: Where are India's Top CXOs Travelling and why so?
VK: India’s top CXOs are traveling to places where the future is being written. We’ve seen strategic movement to Singapore, Dubai, Nairobi, Jakarta, and Tel Aviv ‐ centers of innovation, capital, and geo-economic relevance.
Domestically, Tier-2 cities like Coimbatore, Indore, and Bhubaneswar are drawing CXO interest due to industrial expansion and policy shifts. At SKIL, we’ve managed delegations for tech consortia, global board meetings, and private equity scouting tours. Interestingly, CXOs are also choosing unplugged locations like Udaipur or Kovalam for leadership offsites focused on recalibration, vision alignment, and culture-building.
TDM: What is the best part of being in your profession? What advice would you want to give to youngsters who want to be part of this field?
VK: The adrenaline. The diversity. The privilege of creating moments that matter.
In this line of work, you wear many hats ‐ producer, problem-solver, host, analyst. But if you love building meaningful experiences, you’ll never tire. My advice to the next generation: romanticise excellence, not just the industry. It’s not just about travel and events; it’s about delivering promises, managing chaos, and leading from the front.
Focus on the three E’s: Execution, Empathy, and Ethics. Clients remember reliability more than flash. And the best careers are not built on shortcuts ‐ they’re built on consistency, curiosity, and character.
