MICE tourism, also known as meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions tourism, is a type of business tourism that brings together large groups of professionals for various purposes. This form of tourism has been growing significantly in recent years, particularly in Asia, and is a lucrative part of the global tourism industry.
The four main components of MICE tourism are:
-
Meetings: These can range from small gatherings to large conferences and are often organized for networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration purposes.
-
Incentive travel: This type of tourism is usually undertaken as a reward for employees who have met or exceeded targets or have done a job well. Incentive travel is primarily focused on entertainment rather than professional or educational purposes.
-
Conferences: Similar to meetings, conferences are larger-scale events that bring together professionals from a specific industry or field for presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities.
-
Exhibitions: These events showcase products, services, and innovations in a particular industry or field and are often attended by professionals looking to stay updated on the latest trends and developments.
MICE tourism has several benefits for destinations and communities. MICE tourists tend to stay longer and spend more money than leisure tourists, making them important stakeholders in the tourism industry. Additionally, MICE tourism can contribute to community building, urban renewal, and the growth of national identity.