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India Charts Bold Course to Become Global MICE Destination - News

India Charts Bold Course to Become Global MICE Destination

India Charts Bold Course to Become Global MICE Destination

The MICE Industry Leaders’ CONNECT – Focus South, organized by the national apex body representing India’s exhibitions industry Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA), at ITC Chola, Chennai, on July 29, 2025. It marks India’s push to become a global hub for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. Industry and Government thought leaders at the conference set a vision to increase India’s current 5 percent share in the US$ 850 billion global MICE industry.

Chief guest Suman Billa IAS, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, stated that ‘Incredible India’ is ready to transition to ‘Unmissable India’, backed by key infrastructures—Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi, and Jio World Centre—and urged for a focused strategy to make at least 10 Indian cities globally competitive in MICE. He also focused on establishing autonomous city-level bureaus and building a unified brand identity for Indian MICE tourism.

In his welcome address, Srikanth TG, Business Head, Hyderabad International Trade Expositions Ltd (HITEX) and Chair for IEIA’s South Region, described the event as a turning point, with increased international interest, and stressed current requirements such as policy clarity, harmony of infrastructure, and brand positioning.

Tamil Nadu, with Chennai and tier-2 cities like Coimbatore and Madurai, are looking to become a MICE gateway for the South of India. More than 100 stakeholders attended the event and leaders representing Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands also came out to express their strategies to unlock city-level MICE opportunities.

Image Source: IEIA