India's meetings & exhibitions industry facing infrastructure bottlenecks

NEW DELHI: Infrastructural bottlenecks are hitting the growth of an estimated $ 1.5-billion MICE industry in the country, a government official today said.

"Huge potential exists in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. It can boost tourism sector in India. But inadequate infrastructure in terms of world-class convention centres is acting as a big hurdle for the sector's growth," Additional Director General in the Ministry of Tourism Usha Sharma said here.

She said MICE sector has not been promoted in a desired way in the country.

"It has the potential to create large number of employment. There is a strong need to focus on removing all the bottlenecks," Sharma said at a function. She is also chairperson of the India Convention Promotion Bureau.

According to an estimate, the global market size of the MICE industry stood at $ 300 billion.

Country's like Singapore, USA, Korea, Australia and Germany are the top destinations for international meetings, conventions and exhibitions.

"India also has the potential to become one of the preferred destinations for such activities. Both the public and private sector need to work together to boost the sector's growth," she said.

Segments like banking, pharmaceutical, medical and automobile hold huge potential, in which the country could bid for international seminars and conventions, she added.

She said the government motivate domestic bidders in terms of providing financial assistance to participate in the international bidding for international meeting and seminars.

"The government also provides financial assistance of Rs 5 crore for the construction of convention centres," Sharma said.

She also informed that IIM-Ahmedabad is conducting a comprehensive study for the sector. "The study will provide detail figures about the sector".

Cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi, Greater Noida and Jaipur are coming out as major centres for MICE.