Conventions India Conclave may boost MICE tourism in Kerala

Kerala government is keen on promoting the state as a meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination.
The government hopes that the 12th edition of conventions India conclave, a premier international meet on MICE tourism, to be held at Kochi from August 29-31 will help boost MICE tourism.

The event organised by India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) supported by Tourism Department and Kerala tourism department, aims at promoting the country as a global hub of conventions and exhibitions.

“It is significant that this is taking place at a time when Kerala tourism is poised to make big leaps in all segments. Kerala was very strong in MICE tourism. Due to some policy shifts over the years the state had lost some ground. Now we are set to regain the lost ground make further strides, ‘’ Kerala tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran said.

He said Kerala has made quick recovery from the damage suffered from last year’s devastating floods. There has been steady increase in the footfalls since then. The heavy downpour that battered some parts of the state recently did not have any serious impact on major tourism centres.

Lack of sufficient infrastructure had also hampered the growth of MICE tourism in the state. `` But it has improved in the last two years with more hotels and increase in the flight connectivity, said Shrikant Wakharkar, general manager of Grand Hyatt, Kochi, where the national convention will be held.

Around 300-350 delegates are expected to attend the conclave. Over 30 international buyers from USA, UK, Russia, Germany, Italy, France, Denmark, Turkey, Cyprus, Brazil, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Malaysia have confirmed participation. Also, 100 domestic buyers and 70 exhibitors will be participating in the conclave.

MICE tourism also brings in more revenue. ``A conference traveller on an average spends $1511 a day compared with $600 by a leisure traveller,’’ said Mausam Bhattacharjee, director of sales and marketing of Grand Hyatt Kochi, adding that MICE tourism has gained traction in the state after the floods.

The state tourism department will be forming ICPB- Kerala State Convention Bureau which will enable Kerala to participate in bids for getting national and international conventions to Kerala and to promote Kerala MICE tourism opportunities aggressively across the world.

``There are lot of queries for MICE in the coming years including medical and non-medical conferences,’’ said Rashmi Kamboj, director of convention sales, Grand Hyatt, Kochi.