The Economic Times MICE & Wedding Tourism Summit & Awards concluded its second glorious edition yesterday, orchestrated by ET Travel World at the opulent Aurika Hotels & Resorts in Mumbai. Building on the success of its maiden edition, which saw over 300 delegates, including ministers and ambassadors, this prestigious event once again proved to be an enriching experience brimming with insightful engagement for all stakeholders in the travel, tourism, and hospitality realms.
The exclusive ‘by invitation’ event focused on MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and wedding destination potential, offering participants the opportunity to meet buyers, sellers, and veterans from the segment, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Under the theme “Reshaping the Industry,” the summit delved into the future of events, exploring how AI and purpose-driven design can boost profits and create impactful experiences. Throughout the day-long summit, various discussions covered topics related to MICE, business & corporate travel, event management & wedding planning, alongside trends in the evolving meetings, exhibitions, and related services landscape.
Pre-pandemic, in 2019, the global market size for MICE was over USD 808 billion, with India’s market size at INR 37,576 crore. Projections for the end of 2024 suggest that business travel spending will reach USD 1.4 trillion, signaling a full recovery from the pandemic. Additionally, the booming destination wedding tourism market, valued at USD 26.8 billion in 2022, is projected to reach a staggering USD 103.5 billion by 2033.
Distinguished Speakers and Sessions
Corporate giants, esteemed government bodies, and both domestic and international tourism boards gathered to ignite a firestorm of innovation and dialogue. The summit’s program was rich with thought-provoking panel discussions and culminated in an awards ceremony.
Key industry leaders such as Sabina Chopra, Co-Founder & COO of Yatra Online, Sabbas Joseph, Founder Director of Wizcraft International, and Samit Garg, President of EEMA and Co-Founder & MD of E Factor Experiences, captivated the audience with their riveting keynote addresses. Dr. Ilayaraja T, Additional Secretary Tourism, Govt of MP & Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, also shared his insights on government initiatives and policy measures.
Dynamic Panels and Discussions
A total of five panel discussions and two fireside chats delved into crucial topics, including MICE’s global impact, innovative transformations in corporate travel, mastering client satisfaction, harnessing global trends, crafting transformative methodologies for impact, navigating competitive markets, and the seamless integration of technology in wedding planning.
Starting from July 11, 2024, Akasa Air will operate daily direct flights between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi, enhancing travel connectivity between India and the UAE. Bookings are now available on Akasa Air’s website, mobile apps and various OTAs. Having launched its international operations with flights to Doha in March 2024, followed by Jeddah and Riyadh, Akasa Air’s expansion to Abu Dhabi strengthens its presence in the Gulf region.
Notable speakers included Tanuja Pandey, Founder & Director, MICE Online; Sunila Patil, Founder & Chief Product Officer, Veena World; Siddharth Kapoor, Associate Vice President, EbixCash Travel & Holidays; Sonika Jain, Vice President Commercial, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL); Sanjay Pai, VP Facilities, Corporate Travel, Hospitality & Director Aviation, Larsen and Toubro (L&T); and many more.
Glitterning Awards Ceremony
The event concluded with an awards ceremony celebrating outstanding achievements and recognizing industry leaders in innovation. Winners were revealed following a rigorous selection process overseen by a distinguished Grand Jury and facilitated by EY, the official tabulating partners.
The success of the summit was backed by a strong network of sponsors and partners. YATRA FOR BUSINESS and CINNAMON LIFE as Associate Partners provided valuable support. MP Tourism, the State Partner, showcased the beauty of the region. Event Partners like ATPI India, JORDAN TOURISM BOARD, and EBIX TRAVEL & HOLIDAYS LTD added diverse expertise. EEMA as the Knowledge Partner enriched the event. With JIM BEAM as the Beverage Partner and AURIKA as the Hospitality Partner, the summit flourished. Supporters like Site India, NIMA, TAAI, ICPB, and TAFI contributed significantly.
