New Delhi | The Union Ministry of Tourism will establish city-level Convention Promotion Bureaus as independent bodies, in partnership with key stakeholders, beginning in 2026, to strengthen India’s Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism ecosystem.
The announcement was made by Additional Secretary and Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Suman Billa, while inaugurating the IEIA EventTech & MarTech Summit 2025, organised by the Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) in the national capital on Thursday.
Addressing the gathering, Billa said several states across the country are unlocking tourism potential in unique ways and stressed that the time has come to position India prominently on the global MICE map. He noted that with world-class venues such as Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi and the Jio World Centre, and MICE tourism being prioritised under the Incredible India campaign, the government aims to develop multiple Indian cities as globally competitive MICE destinations.
Highlighting the importance of institutional reform, Billa said professional City MICE Bureaus would form the backbone of India’s national MICE strategy. These autonomous bodies would offer coordinated and world-class support required for hosting global events, act as a single facilitator for approvals, and enable networking with local partners. He added that the initiative aims to double India’s share of the global MICE market over the next five years.
Emphasising technology adoption, Billa said the MICE sector must proactively embrace advanced computing, artificial intelligence and digital transformation to redefine the planning, management and execution of large-scale events. He said integrating smart technologies in major venues and accelerating digital adoption across the ecosystem would help position India as a future-ready global exhibition and events destination.
IEIA President Sorraj Dhawan, speaking at the event, said the association is working on a transformative roadmap to place India among the top five global exhibition markets. He noted that India’s MICE market, valued at USD 49.4 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to USD 103.7 billion by 2030. Central to this growth, he said, is the establishment of professional City MICE Bureaus under a Public-Private Partnership model, which would function as a single-window system for event organisers and improve ease of doing business.
Dhawan added that City MICE Bureaus would also help de-risk market entry for international organisers by providing a verified network of local partners and professional support. He said the adoption of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms for exhibition organisation would further ensure consistency, quality and global credibility in hosting international events.
The event also featured a round-table summit on the “Indian MICE Industry Roadmap for the Next Five Years” and the launch of IEIA’s strategic report, “India MICE Opportunities Overview (2025–2030)”, outlining a blueprint for strengthening India’s leadership in the global MICE sector through institutional support and technology adoption.
The Indian Exhibition Industry Association is the national apex body representing exhibition organisers, venue owners and service providers, and plays a key role in promoting trade shows as a driver of economic growth.
Comments are closed.