The Ministry of Tourism in India aims to elevate the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry as a significant driver for economic growth and job creation. Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlights that India's robust economic infrastructure, world-class facilities, and strong governmental support are anticipated to make the MICE sector globally prominent. The Meet in India Conclave, organized by the Ministry of Tourism along with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), emphasizes plans to develop at least 10 cities into top MICE destinations on an international scale.
India's MICE market has shown promising growth from USD 49,402.6 million in 2024 to a projected USD 103,686.5 million by 2030 with an expected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13%. The rapid development of infrastructure, including roads, airports, railway stations, and inland waterways, has been pivotal in boosting MICE-ready destinations like Varanasi, Khajuraho, Kochi. Additionally, India's role as co-host during the G20 nations' presidency has contributed to enhancing the country’s network for venue services and tourism potential.
Multiple state-level initiatives are being taken to foster innovation, provide digital infrastructure, build skilled talent pools, and develop a unified national strategy that can propel India into the top five MICE markets by 2025. The collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, state governments like Rajasthan, and organizations such as NITI Aayog signifies a concerted effort towards harnessing tourism opportunities across different Indian states.
The event includes over 300 participants from various sectors including international MICE companies, speakers, foreign tour operators, tourism and hospitality industry stakeholders, government officials, and media. There are also specialized sessions dedicated to growth potential, unlocking India's MICE tourism capacity, strategic policies on marketing India as a global MICE hub, and facilitating B2B interactions.
While the plans aim for transformational strategies that blend tradition with forward-thinking approaches in welcoming events, conferences, or exhibitions globally, the policy text notes the need for coordination among states to maximize these initiatives' potential effectively.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India: A governmental department responsible for promoting tourism within India.
Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan: Responsible for promoting tourism in the state of Rajasthan within India.
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Industry (FICCI): A leading business organization that represents various industries across India, including tourism.
Meet in India Conclave 2025: An event organized at Jaipur, Rajasthan for showcasing and discussing advancements and opportunities within the MICE industry (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions).
14th Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB): A business platform held in Jaipur which includes exhibitors, participants from global and domestic MICE companies, operators including speakers, foreign tour operators specializing in MICE.
Union Tourism Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: The leader of the Ministry of Tourism of India responsible for implementing policies and strategies to boost tourism.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi: India's Prime Minister who provides visionary leadership to support growth in various sectors, including tourism.
Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog (Shri Suman Bery): A key official in supporting the national development strategy of India, contributing to discussions on Indian MICE industry potential and growth.
Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan: An administrative leader responsible for promoting tourism and MICE sectors within their designated region.
Sunil Kumar Tiwari: The contact person or representative overseeing communications and release IDs related to various tourism events including the Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB).
Dr. Jyotsna Suri: A business leader who, as Past President of FICCI, highlights India's position in global MICE industry forums.
International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) CEO Dr. Senthil Gopinath: Head of a key organization that influences international policies for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions through his leadership role.
Ministry of Tourism
India’s MICE Industry Set to Be a Major Economic
Driver, Generating High-Quality Jobs: Union Tourism
Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
‘Meet in India Conclave 2025 organized in Jaipur,
Rajasthan
Strong focus on state-led promotion, public-private
partnerships, and seamless connectivity to support
the MICE sector
MICE tourism is recognized as a key driver for
economic growth and job creation in India
Posted On: 05 MAY 2025 8:33AM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism,
Government of Rajasthan, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI),
organized the Meet in India Conclave on 4th May 2025 at Jaipur, Rajasthan on the sidelines of the 14th Great
Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB).Union Minister of Tourism & Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, addressed the conclave and said that
India’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) Industry is set to be a major economic
driver, generating high-quality jobs. Speaking at the conclave, Shri Shekhawat said, India’s MICE industry is
rapidly emerging as a global powerhouse, fuelled by robust economic growth, world-class infrastructure, and
strong government backing. States across the country are unlocking tourism opportunities in their own unique
ways — and now, it’s time for India to position itself firmly on the global MICE map.
With iconic venues like Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi, Jio World Centre etc. and with special focus on
MICE, we aim to elevate at least 10 Indian cities into the world’s top MICE destinations. Guided by Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, and with states like Rajasthan leading through legacy and
innovation, India is poised to become the world’s most admired tourism and events destination,” the Tourism
Minister added while highlighting the growing potential of the country in the MICE segment.More than 300 delegates and participants attended the event consisting of International MICE
Companies/Operators, Domestic MICE Companies/Professional Conference organizers, Speakers, Foreign
Tour Operators specialized in MICE invited for GITB, Secretaries from States / UTs, Media, Stakeholders
from various Tourism and Hospitality Associations, Local Stakeholders (Hotels, DMCs, Associations, GITB,
officials from States / UTs, exhibitors etc.) etc.
The India MICE market generated a revenue of USD 49,402.6 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD
103,686.5 million by 2030 while registering a growth of 13% CAGR. This growth is fuelled by the recent
developments in MICE-ready destinations coming up in cities like Varanasi, Khajuraho, Kochi etc. Over the
last decade, India has shown a tremendous growth curve in infrastructure with be it the construction of roads
over 1,50,000 km, new railway stations, semi high-speed trains, inland waterways, more than 150 operational
airports and over 2.48 million hotel rooms. Further, India's hosting of G20 nations has reinforced India’s
growing venue network and regional tourism potential.
Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog, Shri Suman Bery, emphasized, “The vision laid by Hon’ble PM during
India’s G20 presidency has opened new pathways. It is now up to states to build on this momentum. From
deregulation to concert tourism, India has the opportunity to become a global hub for events and experiences.”
Highlighting Rajasthan as an emerging MICE destination, Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ms. Diya
Kumari, said, “Rajasthan is not just a heritage destination — it is a vibrant, future-ready hub for MICE
tourism. With state-of-the-art convention centres, seamless connectivity, digital infrastructure, and world-
class hospitality, we are building a dynamic ecosystem that blends tradition with transformation”Elucidating
Rajasthan’s commitment to MICE not as a short-term effort, but as a strategic priority to drive growth,
innovation, and global visibility, the Deputy CM of Rajasthan said, “Rajasthan is ready — not just to
welcome conferences, but to offer an unforgettable, enriching experience.”
Deputy Chief Minister, Smt. Pravati Parida, while addressing the gathering said, whether it's conferences or
exhibitions, India is ready to welcome the world—and Odisha stands proudly among the leading states. From
the spiritual serenity of Puri to the architectural marvel of Konark, our state offers not only robust
infrastructure but also a rich cultural tapestry for all to experience.Additional Secretary & Director General of Tourism, Mr. Suman Billa, set the context for MICE in India
conclave and added that “A unified national strategy, skilled talent, digital tools, and strong state-led
promotion can propel us into the top five MICE markets by 2025.” While India already has the necessary
infrastructure and market demand, he pointed out that the real challenge lies in coordination. Mr Billa
emphasized the need for city-level convention promotion bureaus, a strong national MICE brand, skill
development academies, and a seamless digital portal.
Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Past President, FICCI highlighted that India is no longer just a leisure destination and We are
now ready to take on the world as a leading MICE destination. With exceptional infrastructure, seamless
connectivity, and the proven capabilities we demonstrated during the G20, we have everything it takes to host
large-scale global conventions. Through platforms like the Great Indian Travel Bazaar and Meet in India, we
are not just showcasing our potential — we are inviting the world to collaborate, catalyse, and say, ‘Let’s
meet in India”.
Post inaugural keynote address was deliver by Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO, International Congress and
Convention Association (ICCA. The event concluded with three sessions on Catalyzing Growth: How
Tourism Policies are Attracting MICE Opportunities, Unlocking India’s MICE Tourism Potential: Elevating
Convention Centres to Attract Global MICE Events and Strategizing for Success: Crafting Policies &
Marketing India as a Global MICE Hub. B2B sessions for the buyers and sellers were also organised.
Following the conclave, the 14th edition of GITB will commence from May 5–6 at the Jaipur Exhibition and
Convention Centre (JECC).
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Sunil Kumar Tiwari
tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2126905)