Chennai: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government celebrates its achievements during its two years in office, the tourism sector, especially Mice (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) segment has a good reason to rejoice. India recently moved up to occupy the 31st position in the recent list of global ranking published by ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) from 35th rank in 2014 globally. Chennai is also among the major cities that had hosted major events.
Mice tourism improves the global face of the country’s tourism and thereby significantly adds to the nation’s foreign exchange earnings. According to sources, a conference traveller, on an average, spends $1511 a day during four-day stay compared to $600 spent by an inbound leisure traveller staying for the same duration. According to the ICCA 2015 rankings released recently, India’s position moved up to 31 from 35 (2014) with regard to international conference business.
Last year, ICCA had placed India at the 35th position in the worldwide rankings and ninth position in the Asia Pacific region. Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Goa, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Cochin were the major cities that hosted the events.
As per industry estimates the global Mice market supports 4,00,000 conferences and exhibitions worldwide, making it a US $280 – 300 billion market.
The Asian market however accounts for US $ 60 billion market, but is growing at a significant rate of 38 % since 2006 while India accounts for a mere 0.5-1 per cent of the total market with current ICCA rankings hovering around 28th globally.
The Centre has set a target to achieve 2 per cent of the global Mice market share by 2025.
