Lok Sabha Question No. 3109 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-06
Subject: MICE Promotions
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI, HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3109 ANSWERED ON 06.08.2018

## MICE PROMOTIONS

## 3109. SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR: DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to provide incentives to the MICE  (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) sector,  where  revenues  have  been  crimped  following  policy changes like the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  plans  to  relax  visa  norms  and conduct MICE promotions through roadshows in markets like Europe this year and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has appointed an agency to study the size  of  the  market  and  revenue  generation  potential  through MICE activities and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  ease  regulations  for MICE  businesses,  besides  inviting  greater  participation  from private  entities  and  State  Governments  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  set  a  target  of  achieving  2% global  MICE  market  share  for  MICE  (meetings,  incentives, conferences  and  exhibitions)  INDIA  and  if  so,  the  details thereof  and  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote India as a favourable destination for MICE industry; and
- (f) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  to  gauge the  revenue  generation  potential  of  the  MICE  industry  and  if so, the details and the findings thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a) to (f): The Ministry of Tourism has recognized Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) as a 'Niche Tourism' product  in  order  to  overcome  the  aspect  of  'seasonality'  and  to promote India as a 365 days' destination and attract tourists with specific interests to India.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  provides  financial  assistance  under Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme to 'Active Members' of  India  Convention  Promotion  Bureau  (ICPB)  towards  bidding  for International Conferences/Conventions, thereby bringing more MICE

business to the country.

Ministry of Tourism also provides Central Financial Assistance to  the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  for  development  of tourism infrastructure including the setting up of convention centres under the existing schemes.

The Government of India launched the e-Visa scheme in 2014 and  presently  nationals  of  165  countries  are  covered  under  this Scheme which also includes the category of e-Conference Visa. The e-Conference  Visa  is  for  attending  a  conference/seminar/workshop organized by a Ministry or Department of the Government of India, sub-

State Government or UT Administrations and their ordinate/attached organizations and PSUs.

The India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) has been set up under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism to promote India as a venue for International Conferences and Exhibitions with members comprising  national  airlines,  hotels,  travel  agents,  tour  operators, tourist transport operators, conference organizers, etc.

While  no  targets  have  been  fixed,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism promotes  India  as  a  preferred  tourism  destination  in  the  tourism generating markets for its various attractions, tourism products and destinations of the country, including MICE Tourism for increasing India's  share  in  the  global  tourism  market.  MICE  Tourism  is  also promoted under the Global Incredible India media campaign, through Road Shows and Seminars conducted regularly by the India Tourism offices overseas. A Road Show to promote MICE Tourism was  recently  organized  along  with  India  Convention  Promotion

Bureau (ICPB) covering France, Belgium & Switzerland during 26-29 June,  2018.  Further,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  appointed  a professional  agency  for  conducting  a  research  study  to  provide  a road map for strengthening the MICE Industry in India.

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