Tag Archives: MICE sector

Russia targets 10% tourism growth from India by 2030

 

Russia aims to double tourism’s contribution to its GDP from 3.8% to 10% by 2030 through increased investment in the sector and the launch of its national project “Tourism and Hospitality” in 2025. Evgeny Kozlov, chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, emphasised the strategic focus on attracting tourists and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) visitors from India and China to boost arrivals and economic impact.

Kozlov highlighted Russia’s efforts to ease travel for Indian tourists, including the introduction of e-visas from August 1, 2023. “Indian passport holders can now apply for e-visas online, which are issued within four days and require no invitations or confirmations,” he said. This liberalised visa policy contributed to a 1.5-fold rise in Indian tourist arrivals in the first half of 2024, reaching 28,500 compared to the same period in 2023.

Moscow’s tourism industry revenue has already exceeded 1.3 trillion rubles (USD 12.35 billion) in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic records. By 2030, tourism revenue is forecast to grow 2.7 times to 3.6 trillion rubles (USD 34.2 billion), further increasing its economic impact on Moscow. Kozlov expressed optimism about the sector’s potential but noted the need for enhanced transport links between India and Russia to meet growing demand.

Gajesh Giridhar, founder of the Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA), echoed Kozlov’s call for improved air connectivity. He pointed out that destinations like Baku and Thailand are more popular among Indian travelers due to better flight options. Both Kozlov and Giridhar urged Indian airlines to introduce direct flights to Moscow to tap into the increasing travel demand.

The government has been focusing on promotion of North East India via DoNER.

Government push fuels enthusiasm for MICE tourism in Northeast region: Stakeholders

As the Centre is working to bolster infrastructure development across the country, the MICE industry has observed growing demand from the corporate sector to host their MICE activities in the Northeast region.

MICE tourism, an acronym for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions, refers to a type of business travel that brings together large groups for specific purposes.

According to industry players, corporates are increasingly choosing the Northeast destinations for their MICE activities, with a noticeable surge in such events. The primary reason for this enhanced interest is the region’s unique and largely unexplored natural ecosystem, they say.

“One tourism segment that is growing and will only get stronger in the Northeast. I’ve been organising many more events there post-COVID, which I rarely did before. A lot of people are now interested in exploring new luxury destinations, driven in part by the Prime Minister’s push to the region,” said Abhishek Gupta, Co-Founder and Director of Trip Navigator.

Gupta cites the desire to explore forests, wildlife, and similar experiences akin to what African countries like Tanzania offer as reasons behind the growing interest in the Northeast for MICE activities. For Indian corporates, the region presents an exciting opportunity to experience nature without the need for extensive travel abroad.

This shift follows the Ministry of Tourism’s emphasis on promoting the Northeast region through tourism development initiatives. The ministry has been attracting both domestic and international tourists to the region by providing financial assistance through various schemes, such as Swadesh Darshan.

To further bolster MICE tourism in the region, the Ministry has undertaken initiatives to develop key spots to attract corporate tourists. One such effort includes financial assistance for constructing a Convention Centre in Aizawl, aimed at encouraging MICE tourism in the Northeast.

While traditional popular destinations like Delhi, Goa, Mumbai, and Hyderabad continue to dominate the MICE sector, industry players highlight the urgent need to develop infrastructure and create globally renowned spots to attract international visitors to India.

“The North East region, in particular, is emerging as a significant player in this growth trajectory. The North East’s attractiveness for MICE events is bolstered by the entry of major domestic and international hotel chains, showcasing the region’s potential. Notable events such as the Hornbill Festival, Bihu celebrations, and the hosting of high-profile events like the G-20 Summit have highlighted its unique cultural heritage and natural beauty,” Pardeep Siwach, Dy. General Manager- Accommodation, Mayfair Spring Valley Resort, Guwahati stated.

A 2019 MICE study, sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, revealed that India holds less than 1 per cent of the global MICE market, despite its natural and cultural advantages and status as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. In 2019, the global MICE industry was valued at around USD 900 billion.

According to the study, the Indian MICE industry is estimated at INR 37,576 crore, with 60 per cent of this attributable to meetings, incentives, and conferences. India was ranked 28th in the 2019 ICCA rankings with 158 meetings, reflecting a low recall value for Indian MICE events in global markets.

Only seven Indian cities feature in the top 475 cities worldwide for international association meetings, according to the ICCA rankings.
The exhibition industry in India has been growing at a rate of over 8 per cent annually, outpacing the country’s GDP growth. The trade fair sector has an estimated economic impact of INR 23,800 crore through the organised sector, generating Rs. 3 lakh crore worth of business through exhibitions hosted in India.

Currently, India has 25 purpose-built venues for hosting exhibitions, with a combined indoor capacity of 437,000 square meters.
Both the central and state governments are taking steps to capitalise on the flourishing MICE tourism sector. The centrally-backed Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan and Yashobhoomi Convention Centre are prime examples of the government’s efforts to support this industry.

Additionally, state governments like Rajasthan and Gujarat have also approved projects aimed at incentivising MICE business within their states.

According to industry experts, India needs to focus on developing unique innovations and cultural landmarks to distinguish itself on the global stage. By doing so, the country can enhance its visibility and recognition for its distinct contributions, further promoting the MICE business. (ANI)

SKIL Travel appoints Jay Bajaj as Assistant Director for International MICE & Events

SKIL Travel, a popular brand known for providing bespoke end-to-end travel solutions, has appointed Jay Bajaj as Assistant Director – International MICE & Events. He played a crucial role in contributing to the travel sector with his exceptional skills while leading the MICE department for brands including Club7Holidays, Royal Goan Beach Club, etc.

With hands-on experience in handling groups ranging from 20 to 750 participants, Bajaj has a keen understanding of the dynamics involved in creating impactful events. His approach exceeds transactional relationships, focusing on building collaborative partnerships with corporate clients.

Having travelled extensively to numerous countries worldwide, he brings a global perspective and cultural awareness that is crucial in the dynamic field of MICE. His ability to navigate diverse cultures and preferences makes him an invaluable asset in the events industry which is known for creating memorable and culturally sensitive experiences.
His proficiency in understanding the intricacies of MICE operations allows him to craft appealing and immersive solutions. Jay with his ardent skills, will further enhance SKIL Travel’s position in the MICE sector in both domestic and international markets.

Speaking about the appointment, Bajaj said, “I am excited to join SKIL Travel and contribute to its success in the International MICE & Events sphere. I strive to elevate the company’s position by unleashing my understanding of MICE operations and a proven track record of delivering high-quality experiential incentive events.”

Trishal Rao, Chief Sales Officer, SKIL Travel, added, “We are delighted to welcome Jay to the SKIL Travel family. His years of rich experience, combined with a global perspective, align seamlessly with our commitment to delivering exceptional MICE solutions. We believe Jay will play a key role in strengthening strong client relationships and driving SKIL Travel’s growth in the International MICE & Events sector.”

Bajaj’s appointment is a strategic move by SKIL Travel to hold its position as a leader in the MICE industry, especially with its foray into international MICE space and having hosted big-ticket events in Turkey, Milan, and Germany. His skills and insights are expected to contribute significantly to the company’s continued success and expansion in the international events segment.