Lok Sabha Question No. 113 (STARRED), answered on 2020-02-10
Subject: MICE Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*113 ANSWERED ON 10.02.2020

## MICE TOURISM

## *113. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the detailed information on India's growth in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Tourism;
- (b) whether India is ranked low at 24th position worldwide, with only 175 out of total 12,563 international meetings in a year, as  per  the  Federation  of  Indian  Chambers  of  Commerce  and Industry (FICCI);
- (c) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the  current  accommodation  space  in  square  metres  under MICE segment and the steps being taken to upgrade infrastructure and world-class convention centres in the country; and
- (e) the details of 12th edition of Conventions India Conclave, the premier  international  meet  on  MICE  tourism,  held  at  Kochi from August 29-31, 2019?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (e):   A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*113 ANSWERED ON 10.02.2020 REGARDING MICE TOURISM.

- (a) to (b):  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.

As  per  International  Congress  and  Convention  Association (ICCA) reports, India's global MICE industry rank (in terms of number of events held) has improved significantly since the year 2014. From 35th rank in the year 2014, India's global rank has improved by 11 positions to 24th in the year 2017.  India hosted 175 such events in the year 2017 up by 50% from 116 held in the year 2014.

As per ICCA reports, India has also improved its global MICE ranking in terms of number of participants per such event from 25th in 2014 to 22nd in the year 2017. Number of participants per event in India grew by 22% from 60,132 in the year 2014 to 73,213 in the year 2017.

- (c): As it can been seen from the above details that India's MICE global ranking on important parameters has steadily improved from the year 2014 to year 2017. Further, Ministry of Tourism has taken various  initiatives  for  the  growth  and  development  of  this  area which  includes  financial  assistance  under  Market  Development Assistance  to  the  industry  stakeholders,  establishment  of  India Convention Promotion Bureau, introduction of E-Conference visa for foreign visitors, regular promotional media campaign and assistance to MICE organisers under Champion Sector in Services Scheme.

(d): Creation of infrastructure for  MICE industry is primarily done by various stakeholders from Public sector &  Private sector including  Hotels,  Convention  centres  &  others.  Further  as  per  the study  conducted  by  the  Ministry  of  Tourism,  it  is  estimated  that MICE facilities are also offered by approximately 750 four & five star category hotels and 69 Convention Centres in the country. However, the  details  of  the  major  convention  and  exhibition  centres  along with approximate  area is annexed  at 'Annexure-I'. Important upcoming convention centres with government assistance of international  standard  facilities  includes  International  Exhibitioncum-Convention Centre, Pragati Maidan in Delhi and India International Convention Centre in Dwarka, Delhi.

Ministry  of  Tourism  provides  Central  Financial  Assistance (CFA) under Swadesh Darshan scheme to the State Governments/UT Administrations for development of tourism infrastructure including the setting up of convention centres under the existing schemes. In the  year  2016-2017,  Ministry  sanctioned  CFA  of  Rs.98.73  crore  for construction of Convention Centre at Bodhgaya, Bihar under Buddhist Tourist Circuit.

(e): The  details  of  12th  edition  of  Conventions  India  Conclave (CIC),  International  meet  on  MICE  tourism,  held  at  Kochi  from August 29-31, 2019 is annexed at 'Annexure -II'.

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## ANNEXURE-I

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION  NO.*113  ANSWERED  ON  10.02.2020  REGARDING  MICE TOURISM.

LIST OF MAJOR CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRES IN INDIA (REGIONWISE) ALONG WITH APPROXIMATE AREA:

## CENTRAL

-      Brilliant  Convention  Centre  Indore:  1,00,000  sq.ft=9290 sqm.
-      Raipur Convention Centre: 20,000 sq ft. = 1858 sqm.

## NORTH

-        India Exposition Mart Ltd., Greater Noida:. 2,32,847 sqm
-        India Trade Promotion Organization, Delhi: 2,97,687 sqm. (Proposed as part of the two phased redevelopment plan)
-        India International Convention Centre (upcoming), Dwarka,  Delhi:. 3,03,000 sqm
-        Jaipur Exhibition Convention Centre, Jaipur: 10,000 sqm

## WEST

-        Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC): 45,000 sqm
-        CIDCO Exhibition and Convention Centre, Mumbai: 13935 sqm
-        MVIRDC World Trade Centre, Mumbai: 5025 sqm
-        Dhirubhai Ambani International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DAICEC) in Mumbai, (Upcoming): 788,340 sqm
-        Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat: 22000 sqm.

## EAST

-        Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, Kolkata: 2000 sqm.

## SOUTH

-        Bangalore International Exhibition Centre: 77200 sqm.
-        Clarks  Exotica  Convention  Resort  and  spa,  Bangalore: 18580 sqm
-        Adlux  International  Exhibition  and  Convention  Centre, Kochi: 27870 sqm.
-        Lulu  Bolgatty  International  Convention  Centre,  Kochi: 9000 sqm
-        Hyderabad International Convention Centre: 60702 sqm
-        HITEX, Hyderabad:. 39000 sqm

In  addition,  there  are  approximately  750  four  &  five  star category  hotels  including  a  number  of  chain  hotels  like  Oberoi, Hyatt, Marriott, Taj, ITC, Accor group, Leela, Novotel, Carlson group etc.  which  have  infrastructure  and  facilities  for  handling  small  to mid-range conferences and meetings (50 to 2000 paxs).

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ANNEXURE-II

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*113 ANSWERED ON 10.02.2020 REGARDING MICE TOURISM.

The  details  of  12 th   edition  of  Conventions  India  Conclave  (CIC),  the premier international meet on MICE tourism, held at Kochi from August 29-31, 2019.

Indian Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) organized 12 th Conventions  India  Conclave  (CIC)  from  August  29  -  31,  2019  at  Grand Hyatt  Kochi  Bolgatty,  Kerala.  The  Conclave  was  supported  by  the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Madhya Pradesh Government with Kerala State Government as the Host State.

The  theme  of  the  Conclave  was  'Mapping  the  Sustainable  MICE Future of India'.

The Conclave provided an opportunity to interact with the Bureau's members  who  are  specialists  in  the  organization  of  meetings  and conventions  and  also  other  suppliers.  This  is  a  group  that  forms  the backbone of any major event taking place in the country.

12th  CIC  was  the  right  opportunity  for  participants  from  many different but related disciplines to interact, seek information and share experiences. Also, with the aim of strengthening the brand positioning of `Incredible India' as a MICE destination, buyers from overseas attended the  Conclave  to  meet  with  suppliers  from  India's  MICE  industry  and experience the product for themselves.

The  three  days  Conclave  was  attended  by  over  350  participants from different segments of the industry including speakers, exhibitors, delegates,  sponsors,  students,  media,  conference  planners  from  the domestic  market  and  overseas.  The  12 th  Conventions  India  Conclave 2019 was a learning experience for all the participants over 350 which included  112  domestic  and  international  buyers  from  15  countries.  67 industry organizations displayed their products to hosted buyers, speakers  and  delegates.  There  were  media  personnel  from  10  trade publications.

The  12 th  CIC  successfully  showcased  the  MICE  infrastructure  in Kochi and provided an opportunity for conference organizers to experience the tourist attractions of Kerala through post tours.

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