Lok Sabha Question No. 153 (STARRED), answered on 2023-02-13
Subject: Separate MICE Funds to Support “Meet in India”
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Rajveer (Raju Bhaiya) Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*153 ANSWERED ON 13.02.2023

## SEPARATE MICE FUNDS TO SUPPORT 'MEET IN INDIA'

- *153.  SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR: SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJU BHAIYA):

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Government  is  considering  a separate Meets, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) fund to support ''Meet  in  India''  branding  and  marketing  of  India  in  order  to encash and keep the G20 momentum going for the Indian MICE industry;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether this fund will also support the stakeholders in participating in bidding for large and prestigious MICE events in the country;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has promised ''reimbursement of  cost of  preparing  bids  to  the  successful  winner/runner  up''  and  also strengthening and revamping of incentive schemes like Champions  sector  service  scheme  and  market  development assistance scheme; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*153 ANSWERED ON 13.02.2023 REGARDING SEPARATE MICE FUNDS T O SUPPORT 'MEET IN INDIA'

(a) to (d): Ministry of Tourism under its Swadesh Darshan Scheme has provided Central Financial Assistance to State Government/UT Administration  for  infrastructure  related  development  of  Convention Centers. Under this scheme total amount of Rs.266.95 Crore has been sanctioned for  development  of eight convention  centres in the country.

Ministry  of  Tourism  in  association  with  India  Convention  Promotion Bureau (ICPB) organised the MICE Roadshow at Khajuraho in March 2021 to  bring  the  domestic  buyers  and  suppliers  of  the  industry  on this  platform  to  reiterate  India's  strengths  as  a  MICE  destination. During  this  roadshow  'Meet  in  India',  a  distinct  sub -brand  under 'Incredible India' to promote the country as a MICE destination was launched.

In  order  to  promote  the  growth  of  MICE  industry  in  the  country  and India  as  a  MICE  destination,  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  formulated  a National Strategy for MICE Industry.

Ministry  of  Tourism  is  working  with  the  State  Governments  and Private Sector to ensure that MICE sector benefits from the opportunities during India's G20 Presidency and beyond .

(e)  &  (f):  The  Guidelines  for  the  Scheme  of  Market  Development Assistance  (MDA)  for  promotion  of  Domestic  Tourism  have  been modified  in November  2020 to  enhance  the  scope  and  reach  of  the

Scheme, so as to provide maximum benefits to the stakeholders. As per  the  revised  MDA  guidelines,  the  stakeholders  are  provided  with financial  support  for  the  promotion  of  Domestic  Tourism.  Tourism Departments of State Governments/UT Administrations are now also eligible  for  obtaining  financial  support  under  the  scheme.  Additional promotional activities have been incorporated including online promotions  for  the  States  of  North-East  India  including  the  UTs  of Jammu  &  Kashmir  and  Ladakh.  The  extent  of  financial  assistance permissible  under  the  MDA  scheme  has  also  been  enhanced.  These guidelines are also applicable to MICE stakeholders.

Ministry  has  also  liberalized  two  components  of  the  guidelines  for Promotion of MICE segment under Champion Services Sector Scheme:

- (i) The  number  of  minimum  participants  in  the  conferences have  been  reduced  from  500  to  250  to  be  eligible  for  the incentive under the guidelines.
- (ii) The  incentive  of  the  GST  incurred  on  hotel  stay  is  now extended  for  2  (two)  nights  in  place  of  existing  1  (one) night.

*****