The Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Mugdha Sinha, emphasised the remarkable progress India has made in consolidating its standing as a major international meeting, incentive, conference, and exhibition (MICE) hub. She underlined that improved infrastructure, forward-thinking legislative efforts, and strategic alliances are all contributing to India’s MICE industry’s explosive growth. Sinha asserts that India’s recent admission to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) shows that the nation is well on its path to becoming a premier location for international gatherings. She clarified that this membership puts India in line with international best practices, broadening its global reach and opening up new opportunities for cooperation, investment, and information sharing.
Sinha emphasised that, particularly in the MICE industry, India’s rich cultural legacy is essential to drawing tourists from around the world. The Ministry of tourist is actively fusing corporate events with cultural experiences through historic projects like the development of Ayodhya and the establishment of spiritual tourist circuits. She pointed out that this integration enables India to provide distinctive, immersive event experiences that distinguish the nation from other travel destinations. The government fully supports green initiatives to integrate large-scale events with international sustainability goals, she added, highlighting the growing demand for technology-driven and sustainable event solutions.
One of the key drivers of this growth, according to Sinha, is the strengthening of partnerships with state tourism boards, Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs), and local stakeholders. By fostering collaboration at every level, the Ministry aims to create a seamless experience for event organizers and attendees alike. Furthermore, Sinha revealed that data-driven policy interventions are being implemented to track and improve India’s MICE performance on the global stage, ensuring that the country stays competitive in this rapidly evolving industry.
Looking ahead, she pointed to several high-profile events scheduled for May 2025, such as the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai and the Grand Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) in Jaipur, both of which will showcase India’s growing MICE potential. These events, which are part of the Meet in India initiative, align with the country’s broader push to position itself as a leader in the global MICE sector. Sinha emphasized that these initiatives are supported through strong partnerships with international MICE organizations, including ICCA and SITE, which will further accelerate India’s presence on the global MICE map.
Sinha emphasised the value of teamwork in guaranteeing India’s prosperity in the global MICE sector. Establishing a strong data-tracking system to keep an eye on both domestic and foreign MICE operations is a major priority, she said. In the end, this system would strengthen India’s competitive edge by supporting strategic planning and facilitating well-informed decision-making. In order to facilitate international delegates’ participation and promote more efficient event management, the Ministry is also working on regulatory changes, such as the implementation of a special e-MICE visa.
Sinha concluded by expressing her belief that these efforts, in conjunction with ongoing assistance for the India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB), will strengthen India’s standing as a competitive and alluring MICE destination. She thinks that this will help Indian MICE stakeholders get international recognition and promote business growth in addition to increasing India’s visibility and credibility in the global market.
Sinha expressed hope for the future and wished everyone a successful and rewarding year, highlighting the Ministry of Tourism’s dedication to making India a premier MICE destination.
