Bengaluru: Karnataka could soon have its very first MICE - a centre for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions - Toursim Minister Priyank Kharge told Deccan Chronicle in an exclusive interview on Monday.
"The Karnataka tourism department is looking to develop a world-class MICE centre near Kempegowda International Airport in Devanahalli, Bengaluru," the young minister said.
"The tourism department feels that this initiative needs to be encouraged as Bengaluru is the Silicon Valley of India that attracts huge amounts of investments, and is crying out for a world class conference centre," Mr. Kharge said.
Given the infrastructure challenges in an increasingly congested city, Kharge revealed that the state government is all set to acquire around 60 acres of land to build the MICE facility. The centre will be available for people to organize major events, music concerts, business shows and conferences.
"Currently, many big events take place at Palace grounds. We are very keen on providing and creating more avenues and exploring opportunities around MICE," added Kharge.
With the city's indifferent infrastructure playing spoilsport for many event organizers, the tourism minister promised to improve on it after making a proper social-impact analysis.
