The Surge Continues: India’s outbound MICE travellers continue to cross borders and travel around the world

Boasting luxury, leisure and business facilities set alongside miles of pristine beaches, resorts around the world have reported a spike in MICE arrivals from the lucrative outbound Indian travel market, according to exhibitors at the 5th Annual MICE India and Luxury Travel Congress (MILT).

The “BLEISURE” market segment combines business and pleasure in a single trip – a common tactic with India’s time-pressed, outbound MICE travellers. In response, tourism authorities around the world have ramped up promotional campaigns across India, to attract a greater share of the growing market.  

Supporting travel and tourism businesses as they capitalize on the growth potential, Dubai-based B2B event specialist QnA Global is the organizer of the MILT Congress, which is all set to take the Indian MICE & luxury travel industry by storm yet again on the 27th & 28th of July at the Hyatt Regency in Mumbai and on the 1st & 2nd August at Andaz Delhi in Aerocity, Delhi NCR.

India’s outbound tourism market has experienced strong growth over recent years with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) predicting outbound travel from India will see 50 million people travel internationally on an annual basis by 2020.

Mohamed Zakraf Shafee, Director, Exotic Global Holidays, which has hosted MICE groups as large as 500 in the past, commented, “Sri Lanka offers a wide range of programmes for MICE groups and the journey to reach the island is short and easy for Indian travelers, meaning the travel costs are attractive and the cultural differences minimal.

Tshepo Rox Sikwan, Director - Trianon Convention Centre, Mauritius said, “MICE organisers have hundreds of destinations to choose from, but the discerning MICE organiser is looking for a location and venue where they can be confident the delegates have a world class experience.

Middle East continues to remain as one of the top destinations selected by Indian travellers. “TCA Abu Dhabi’s strategy is to extend India’s growing importance as a lead source market for international tourism guests and destination attributes which appeal to the Indian market,” said Mubarak Al Shamisi, Director, Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, the dedicated division of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) which champions the emirate as a dynamic global business events leader.

“The Convention Bureau has been very successful in helping the MICE organisers with various value propositions, helping Indian buyers attract groups from India of over 1200 passengers. Our location and ease of access makes Abu Dhabi a superb meetings and conventions choice where delegates can arrive fresh and ready to get down to business.”, Mubarak added.

France has also implemented a stategy to enhance the country’s positioning as a luxury and incentive destination. In support of this statement, Sheetal Munshaw, Director, Atout France in India, stated “We have been very active in our interactions with Indian buyers. India's biggest incentive movement to France took place in December 2015 which saw an approximate of 2200 delegates from a reputed multinational visit the city of Paris. This has has set a healthy precedent for a slew of other incentive movements that have taken place in France over the last year.”

Shedding light on why tourism authorities are partnering with the MILT Congress, Sunil Mathapati, Country Manager, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority said that the one to one meeting format of the MILT Congress is very encouraging as they can personally address what Bahrain has to offer and also look into requirements of any buyers who meet them.

Ackash Jain, Director, QnA Global added, “Indian corporates & luxury travellers are looking at experiencing unique and unexplored destinations around the world. It’s just about being able to meet the right profiles from the country. That’s where we come in, at the MILT Congress we provide an interactive networking platform for global travel and tourism suppliers to meet new clients and business partners who are currently finalizing their travel initiatives for the year 2017-2018 and are looking to source MICE suppliers to facilitate these projects.”