India is gearing up to become the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) capital of the world, thanks to the development of state-of-the-art exhibition and conference complexes across major and emerging cities.
“The new segments of tourism are getting developed, in which MICE tourism is the most important and is the fastest growing segment in the country,” said Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, while inaugurating a two-day seminar titled "India: The Land of Exponential Growth", organized by the Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA).
🏛️ India’s Infrastructure Boom Fuelling MICE Growth
Shekhawat noted that:
- Exhibition and conference infrastructure is expanding rapidly in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Jaipur, and Tier-2 cities, especially after the G20 Summit.
Post-2014, India has seen a remarkable growth in infrastructure, including:
- Over 1,50,000 km of new roads
- More than 150 operational airports
- Modern railway stations
- Semi high-speed trains
- Inland waterways
"India will emerge as the MICE capital of the world," the Minister emphasized, citing the global interest generated by India’s G20 presidency.
🌍 IEIA Open Seminar: Shaping the Future of Exhibitions
Mr. Sooraj Dhawan, President of IEIA, highlighted the significance of the 14th IEIA Open Seminar, which:
Is attended by over 700 top industry leaders, including:
- Exhibition/Event organizers
- Trade bodies
- Sectoral associations
- Government representatives
- Is expected to facilitate business networking, knowledge exchange, and future-shaping discussions.
“India is the fastest growing exhibition market globally, with 40% growth post-COVID,” said Dhawan.
📈 Massive Economic Impact
- ₹50,000 crores – Contribution of the Exhibition Industry to the Indian economy
- ₹3,00,000 crores – Business generated through exhibitions in India
“We urge the Government to declare October 1 as National MICE Day,” said Mr. Dhawan, calling for official recognition of the industry’s growing impact.
🧩 MICE: A Pillar of India’s Tourism Economy
MICE is not just about events – it's a powerful economic engine. It boosts:
- Income generation
Employment across hospitality sectors, including:
- Hotels and accommodation
- Food & beverage
- Transportation
- Tourism services
- Event management and entertainment
👥 Industry Leaders in Attendance
Among the dignitaries present were:
- Mr. Premjeet Lal, Executive Director, ITPO
- Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Managing Director, India Expo Mart
- Mr. Jagdish Patanakar, Hon. Secretary, IEIA
- Mr. Ravinder Sethi, Vice President, IEIA
📢 India’s MICE Future is Bright
India is not only becoming a destination for international tourists, but also a preferred venue for global business events, conferences, and expos.
Stay tuned to GKboard.in for more updates from the MICE industry, tourism, and India’s global growth story.