MICE Destinations in Asia:
Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia as MICE destinations for Indian companies offer distinct advantages like short traveling time, world-class infrastructure, and an abundance of tourist attractions, all at competitive rates. Preferential air fares, special rates for accommodation and transportation, custom and immigration facilitation and adequate facilities for all sizes of conventions make these countries a viable MICE option.
Sri Lanka too offers very competitive rates for corporates covering airfare and conference facilities for medium to large groups.
The Phillipines archipelago has much to offer the MICE market, and Manila has been a preffered destination for global conferences and events. Its modern conference facilities include the Phillipine International Convention Center with a capacity to host 4000 people, a humongous banquet hall, over a dozen meeting rooms and a press centre. The Megatrade hall encloses three multipurpose halls, conference centre plus a series of entertainment centres like a bowling alley and ice skating rink.. The World Trade Centre, the Peninsula Manila, the Makati Shangri-La, the Mandarin Oriental Manila and the Westin Phillipine Plaza offer comprehensive arrangements for MICE events. Fine handicrafts, miles of pure beaches and great bargains add up to the charm of the Phillipines as a MICE destination.
Vietnam is grabbing the attention of organizers as a MICE host. Between Ho Chi Minh and Nanoi, it has over 20 5-star hotels, several seaside resorts in Da Nang, Quang Nam and Binh Thuan, and large capacity international convention centres. With an profusion of cultural and natural heritage sites Vietnam is slowly climbing the popularity charts of tourists.
Bali is Indonesia's most charming destination for companies to take a break from the routine. Its string of luxury hotels apart, the Convention Centre provides for 2,500 theatre style and 1,200 classroom style accommodation, and 5000 square metres of outdoor and indoor exhibition space, bonded warehouse facilities and a comprehensive business and communication centre.
Hong Kong's attraction as a MICE destination has also been enhanced with meeting and conference space being added considerably over the last few years.
Macau is well-entrenched as a business tourism destination, and new capacities are being built in Cotai. The Macau Cultural centre, the East Asian Games Dome, Fisherman's Wharf and the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre combine luxury and business effortlessly, while at least 15 5-star hotels are equipped with business meeting facilities.
Mainland China has recently expanded its existing capacities in Shanghai with auditoriums, exhibition halls, meeting rooms and seating capacity for 150 to 650 in each of the new convention centres. Beijing, Fujian, Tianjin and Guangzhou have similarly built up large capacities to attract the exhibition and convention market. Sanya Island is pursuing an integrated MICE programme and is well-appointed to receive business travelers.
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Taiwan's Taipei World Trade Centre is a multi-function business complex with exhibition and conference spaces which host an average of a 100 trade shows every year. Heavy investments have been made to augment MICE facilities in North and South Taiwan, and the Nankang Exhibition Hall in suburban Taipei. A sprawling complex to cater to conferences and exhibitions is under construction at Kaohsiung. Hotels, transport systems and tourist attractions are being revamped to meet the demands of the MICE sector.
World famous amusement parks, historic monuments and nine world class convention centres and exhibition spaces make Korea a fine MICE venue, with great shopping and mouth watering cuisine thrown in.
MICE tourism in Europe
With a choice as varied as a medieval castle or a royal yacht, Britain can add that extra magic to a corporate event! From new venues like the Wembley Stadium and ExCel to the 19th century Earls Court & Olympia, London offers a range of conference and exhibition spaces. Most hotels in London's are also outfitted to host MICE of any magnitude.
Birmingham's NEC, Glasgow's SECC and Edinburgh's International Conference Centre are some of Britain's preferred venues for major events. Greenwich is vigorously promoting its facilities to attract MICE traffic - these include the soon to be completed Cutty Sark clipper ship equipped with a 50 seat auditorium.
Similarly, Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden, Frankfurt, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Munich and Stuttgart in Germany have all that it takes for MICE - large capacities for exhibitions, conference halls, hotel rooms, excellent connectivity, local attractions and the engaging countryside. Germany continues to maintain its lead amongst European markets in the MICE sector.
For an unforgettable experience, there's no place like Switzerland. Bern the capital, and Lucerne, Uri, Nidwalden, Luzern, Obwalden and Shwyz in Central Switzerland, Crans- Montana atop an alpine plateau, Davos, Pontresina, St. Moritz in Graubunden, St. Gallen - Lake Constance in eastern Switzerland, Geneva, Lausanne, Lugano and Montreux-Vevey in the Geneva Lake District, Ticino, Zurich and Valais have a tradition of business tourism, and enjoy a popularity that remains unchallenged.
Austria too has a long history of hosting meetings and incentives. Its picture book surroundings, a string of convention and trade fair centres and over 400 hotels makes it a natural choice for lovers of heritage, nature, and music! Beyond the Vienna Convention Bureau in the capital, organizers can choose from a dozen other venues in Austria. for conferences and conventions
France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands are other top destinations for the meetings and convention tourism industry