Gujarat To Promote Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions MICE Sector

The Gujarat government plans to promote the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector in the state. This move aims to boost tourism by showcasing the state's existing infrastructure and developing more destinations in the future. State tourism secretary Hareet Shukla announced that Gujarat will host the India Convention Promotion Bureau's (ICPB) 14th Conventions India Conclave on December 7-9 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. This event is part of the pre-Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, and it seeks to attract a significant share of the MICE market to the state.

Developing MICE Infrastructure

Shukla emphasized the importance of the MICE sector in developing new areas of tourism and promoting year-round activities. He highlighted Gujarat's existing infrastructure, which is well-suited for MICE events, and the government's plans to develop more infrastructure in the future. The state government aims to engage stakeholders from India and abroad through the pre-Vibrant convention to showcase the available facilities and gather feedback on policy changes and further developments.

Gujarat's Potential for MICE Tourism

Shukla expressed confidence in Gujarat's potential for MICE tourism and stated that the state has big plans to develop MICE infrastructure in areas such as Kevadia, Kutch district, Vadodara, and others. He emphasized the goal of attracting a major share of the MICE market to Gujarat and viewed the convention as a step in that direction. The convention will not only highlight India as a potential MICE destination but also showcase Gujarat's infrastructure and capabilities.

Participation and Announcements

The event will witness the participation of renowned conventions, major associations, and hospitality sector experts from across the world and India. Over 100 international participants and 200 participants from India are expected to attend. The attendees will visit Ahmedabad, Surat, Rann of Kutch, Science City, and other destinations in Gujarat to experience the state's facilities firsthand. Additionally, significant announcements related to upcoming international and national-level events in Gujarat will be made during the event.

Vision for MICE Destinations

ICPB Vice Chairman Amaresh Tiwari shared the board's vision of presenting at least 10 Indian cities as MICE destinations on the global stage. Currently, only Delhi, the capital city, features among the top 100 global destinations for MICE. Tiwari expressed confidence that Gujarat, with its rapid growth in business under the leadership of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister, will emerge as a leading MICE state in the next 5-10 years.

The promotion of the MICE sector in Gujarat holds immense potential for the state's tourism industry. By leveraging its existing infrastructure and developing new destinations, Gujarat aims to attract a significant share of the global MICE market. The upcoming Conventions India Conclave will serve as a platform to showcase Gujarat's capabilities and engage stakeholders in shaping the future of MICE tourism in the state.