Latest news with #MICE
Trade Arabia
20 hours ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Exhibition World Bahrain targets geo-cloning as catalyst for global growth
As the global MICE and Business Events industries rapidly evolve, Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) is embracing geo-cloning — a strategy that replicates successful event brands in new geographic markets — as a key pillar of its growth and global positioning. This forward-thinking approach enables EWB to attract high-profile, large-scale events while strengthening Bahrain's reputation as a dynamic, world-class destination for business tourism, EWB said. By combining innovation, strategic partnerships, and deep insight into international event trends, EWB is redefining its role on the global stage and ensuring long-term relevance in a highly competitive landscape. "Among the most transformative strategies we are actively pursuing is geo-cloning, a model that offers significant potential to enhance EWB's international profile and position the Kingdom of Bahrain as a preferred destination for high-impact, large-scale events," said Sara Ahmed Buhiji, CEO of BTEA and Chairman of EWB. The Geo-Cloning Strategy Rather than starting from scratch, geo-cloning involves adapting proven event formats to new audiences and regional dynamics — respecting cultural context while leveraging existing brand equity. At EWB, geo-cloning is not a simple duplication exercise; it is a targeted, data-informed initiative that supports Bahrain's broader economic ambitions under Economic Vision 2030. By identifying high-potential events from mature MICE markets and localising them for the Gulf region, we are accelerating market penetration while ensuring relevance and long-term value, she said. "Collaboration is central to this process. We work closely with global organisers, sector specialists, and industry associations toco-create event models tailored to the needs of regional audiences and aligned with our strategic goals," Buhiji said. Building a Roadmap for Strategic Growth "Our Business Development team is focused on identifying exclusive and commercially viable opportunities for our partners. Through geo-cloning, we are curating a roadmap that supports the introduction of new international events in sectors critical to Bahrain's national development goals—such as healthcare, sustainability, energy, artificial intelligence, tourism, food and beverage, and fintech," Buhiji said. To strengthen this strategy, EWB is also pursuing and working with industry leaders and global event organisers to co-create opportunities backed by attractive incentive programmes. This collaborative approach enhances value for event organisers while targeting a steady pipeline of international content that resonates with diverse audiences. From Bahrain to Frankfurt EWB's participation in globally recognised MICE and Business Events platforms such as IMEX Frankfurt, ATM Dubai, and IBTM Barcelona, allows it to engage directly with key decision-makers, promote EWB's distinctive value proposition, and identify event formats with high geo-cloning potential, she said. "These engagements are key to identifying opportunities and generating productive conversations that materialise into tangible business. Another key element is our active engagement and partnership with leading international MICE associations such as UFI, ICCA, AIPC and others, that enables us to stay attuned to global trends and contribute meaningfully to Bahrain's international positioning in the sector." A Broader Economic Impact The benefits of geo-cloning extend well beyond venue bookings. Each resulting event catalyses activity across local economies — benefiting hotel operators, airlines, retailers, and F&B providers. This ripple effect reinforces the business events sector's role as a key economic enabler and supports national efforts to drive sustainable employment and private sector growth. Every successful replication of a global event enhances Bahrain's credibility as a MICE destination and strengthens its role as a regional hub for collaboration and innovation. Shaping the Future of MICE and Business Events At its core, geo-cloning is not merely a business development tactic — it reflects a broader philosophy of innovation, adaptability, and strategic foresight. "At Exhibition World Bahrain, we remain committed to delivering exceptional experiences for our partners and stakeholders by continuously pushing the boundaries of what is possible in event hosting and management," said Buhiji.
Travel Daily News
3 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Experience Oxfordshire Venues: More confirmed bookings for Oxfordshire
Experience Oxfordshire Venues drives £1.2 million in proposals, achieving 25% booking growth and expanding global MICE market engagement for the county. Experience Oxfordshire Venues' focus on growing the county's share of the lucrative, global, business visits, meetings, incentives, conferences, and events market is showing an impressive return on investment. Over the last year the team has participated at carefully selected domestic and international exhibitions to showcase the county's enviable collection of venues and meeting spaces. In face-to-face discussions with decision-makers holding budget and responsibility for organising every size of meeting and event, the Venues team showcased the excellent quality and wide range of settings that buyers and their clients can book in Oxfordshire. In the past 12-months the team's work has generated requests for proposals worth over £1.2 million in potential incremental income for venues in the county and a 25% growth in conversions to bookings against the previous year. Earlier this year the team exhibited at International Confex, held at London's Excel. The event attracts the largest UK and European BVE (Business Visits and Events) audience of event buyers, from corporate event teams to agencies and associations, and was a great platform to showcase Experience Oxfordshire Venues partner product. This June Experience Oxfordshire Venues will be back at Excel proud to represent the county at The Meetings Show with partners Heythrop Park Hotel, Oxford Official Walking Tours and University of Oxford – Gardens, Libraries & Museums which includes the Ashmolean Museum Oxford, Bodleian Libraries, History of Science Museum, Museum of Natural History, Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum, and the Pitt Rivers Museum. The show attracts over 6,000 pre-qualified buyers and promises high quality engagement. As the county's Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), Experience Oxfordshire has secured a place for the Venues team on the European Sales Mission 2025, MeetEngland's (a division of national tourism agency, VisitEngland) three city engagement roadshow. Held at the British Ambassador's residency in Geneva, Paris and Brussels, Experience Oxfordshire will hold meetings with the organisers of, much sought after, association events. For the third consecutive year, Experience Oxfordshire Venues will be attending IBTM World, Barcelona, as part of the MeetEngland stand. This is the leading global event for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) industry with access to 12,000+ industry professionals. Experience Oxfordshire has recently become a corporate member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Events, a cross-party group made up of members from both Houses of Parliament. In operation since 2011, the group champions the UK events industry by increasing its profile among Members of Parliament, Government Ministers, and senior officials across Whitehall. Following her attendance at the APPG's first major event of the new Parliament, Experience Oxfordshire's CEO, Hayley Beer-Gamage said: 'Experience Oxfordshire recognises the importance of the BVE and MICE markets to the county, with business visitors alone accounting for 25% of all visits made and £552 million of spend. Oxfordshire is well placed to further develop its share of this market and we are pleased to see that our efforts over the last year have had such a tangible impact. It's a sector of the visitor economy which requires a strategic approach and on-going investment as events often have a long lead-in time. We have a growing number of businesses working with us as part of Experience Oxfordshire Venues which is enabling us to better showcase Oxfordshire as a destination of choice for business visits and events.' The events industry nationally currently generates over £61 billion in direct value to the UK economy, and is responsible for providing jobs across a range of supporting sectors. Commenting on opportunities for Oxfordshire in this sector, and Experience Oxfordshire Venues' work supporting it, Paul Black, Head of Business Events at VisitBritain/VisitEngland said: 'With its heritage properties, state of the art venues, cultural assets and links to academic excellence and innovative industries, Oxfordshire provides a combination of attractive product and intellectual leadership to draw all genres of business event. In this very competitive market, it's essential to communicate with buyers on the opportunities available across Oxfordshire. MeetEngland (part of VisitEngland) is delighted for the Experience Oxfordshire Venues team to join us this year at our international trade shows, which will provide excellent opportunities to engage with important influencers and potential bookers. It is always a pleasure working in partnership with the team to promote England to global buyer audiences.' Alongside the industry engagement programme the Experience Oxfordshire Venue Finding Service is a free-to-the-user venue finding service which handles requests for advice and information on an ongoing basis from enquirers from across the globe. During the last twelve months the team managed a range of enquiries from event organisers based in the UK, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, Spain and the USA worth over £1.2 million. A key tool to attract MICE business is the digital Experience Oxfordshire Venues Guide, sixty-two pages highlighting the range, diversity and depth of quality of the venues, incentives and experiences available within the county. This is complemented by an inspirational video showcasing the fantastic range of venues and their services on offer. Whether buyers are looking for sleek modernity or history and heritage, Oxfordshire venues are seen to provide top of the class facilities within an inspirational environment.
Travel Daily News
4 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Abu Dhabi to host the inaugural edition of M&I Expo in 2026
DCT Abu Dhabi partners with M&I to bring senior MICE decision-makers from 14-16 April 2026. ABU DHABI, UAE – The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Worldwide Events have signed a strategic partnership to host the highly anticipated M&I Expo in Abu Dhabi from 14-16 April 2026. M&I, a leading events provider and global innovator in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector and a recognized event brand within the portfolio of Worldwide Event's, will bring to Abu Dhabi the 'MICE 1,000', a curated group of the most senior, influential decision-makers in the global MICE industry for three days of networking, knowledge-sharing, and business development. The exclusive event, to be hosted at the state-of-the-art Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), further cements Abu Dhabi's growing position as a global MICE hub, with the goal to strengthen collaboration and mutual value creation, while shaping a robust future for the sector in the emirate. Building on the previous success of M&I's sold-out event: M&I Fest Global, M&I Expo in Abu Dhabi will feature immersive booths, compelling branded spaces and storytelling-driven showcases attracting global exhibitors, including tourism boards, convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs), major hotel brands, conference centres, destination management companies (DMCs), and technology providers who will present their offerings to an audience of high-calibre industry professionals. Mubarak Al Shamsi, Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau Director, DCT Abu Dhabi said: 'Hosting the M&I Expo in Abu Dhabi reinforces the emirate's strength and sustained growth as a premier destination for business events and incentive travel. Our latest achievement reflects our strategic commitment to building a world-class MICE ecosystem offering cutting-edge event venues and exceptional hospitality rooted in our core cultural values. With iconic venues such as Qasr Al Watan and Yas Marina Circuit, complemented by Abu Dhabi's diverse leisure attractions such as the newly opened teamLab Phenomena, we are confident this event will showcase the very best of what our destination has to offer.' Abu Dhabi's emergence as a global MICE destination is complemented by a diverse, value-added offering across heritage, entertainment, adventure and beyond, and driven by the strategic vision of DCT Abu Dhabi to enhance infrastructure and support event organisers and industry partners. Richard Barnes, CEO of M&I said: 'Following the success of two incredible editions of M&I Fest in 2024 and 2025, the event has naturally evolved into something bigger and bolder. M&I Expo aims to deliver more valuable connections than any show that's previously existed. We don't want to become another big faceless exhibition where quality is diluted, time is wasted, and people are lost; our focus is on quality over quantity, we aim to attract the right level of delegates: M&I Expo caters exclusively to the elite of the MICE industry; the 1,000 most influential players in the MICE industry: the MICE 1,000. We believe that 1,000 is the sweet spot, not too big, not too small. It's just the right size.' The M&I Expo programme will feature M&I's market-leading one-to-one pre-scheduled meeting format alongside a fully inclusive networking programme with hosted lunches, evening socials, and keynote speakers. In addition to the exhibition programme, buyers will have the opportunity to experience Abu Dhabi firsthand; engaging with its unique venues, culture, and hospitality offering. Hosting the M&I Expo aligns with Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to establish the emirate as a global leader in culture and tourism, while serving as a catalyst for diversified economic growth. Business events such as M&I Expo are instrumental in advancing this vision, contributing to tourism sector development, promoting knowledge exchange, fostering innovation and creating lasting benefits for all stakeholders. This announcement comes as Abu Dhabi's tourism sector continues to grow in 2025, welcoming 1.4 million overnight guests in the first quarter alone. International visitation increased compared to the same period in 2024, with strong performance from key source markets including India, China, Russia, the UK, and the USA. This sustained success reflects Abu Dhabi's evolving and increasingly distinctive value proposition and offerings, driven by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030.
Travel Weekly
5 days ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
How river charterer Transcend is making inroads with tour operators
Brinley Hineman Transcend Cruises, which first positioned itself as a solution for the meetings and events market on European rivers, is also attracting tour operators to its charter-only model. The brand designed its river cruise ships with the MICE market in mind, but it now says that land-based tour operator charters are already a sizable piece of its business. Transcend has worked with LGBTQ operator Vacaya and UK-based Imagine Cruising. And it is in discussions with other operators for 2027 and 2028 charters, include those that specialize in niche tours. "From the tour operator side, we identified at the very beginning that that was one of our audience segments," said chief revenue officer Kimberly Daley. Other river cruise ships -- from Tauck, Amadeus River Cruises and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, for example -- can also be chartered. But Daley, whose professional background includes roles at tour operators like Pleasant Holidays, Mountain Travel Sobek and Abercrombie & Kent, said that chartering with those lines can be difficult for tour operators due to the schedules those lines have to keep for their own itineraries. But Transcend's partnership with Lindblad Expeditions through 2028 marks an important milestone. Transcend will operate two National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions itineraries on the Rhine next year on Transcend's 120-passenger Connect, and both companies envision the partnership growing from there. "A lot of what [Lindblad was] trying to achieve was an entry into a growing market and be able to differentiate themselves and enable the type of robust learning and engagement that they're known for," Daley said. The partnership formed after Daley said she began outreach to operators, including Lindblad. The Connect and Evolve will begin cruising next year. The ships can sail the Rhine, Danube and Main, but Transcend's goal is to grow its fleet to 10 to 12 ships on those rivers and other waterways. Transcend allows a level of customization and flexibility that is enticing for operators and not commonly found on other lines, Daley said. The lodging is customizable, with the ability to convert cabins into suites. Partners fully plan their itineraries and excursions for up to seven-night sailings, which enables them to pick and choose what they want to highlight on their itineraries. The lower deck of the ships will have flexible space for wellness activities and a theater to support TED-talk style events. For Lindblad, Daley said, the flexible spaces work for its National Geographic experts and other lecturers. The ability to craft the itinerary from scratch enabled it to create one itinerary focused on castles and another on medieval history. Transcend hopes to be the "brand behind the brand," Daley added, ensuring its partner's branding is front and center with screens to reflect the partner's logo on the ship's exterior. Transcend is actively building partnerships with tour operators and travel agencies, and it anticipates more brands will come on board, but it has reported limited space for next year. "Our goal is to enhance whichever brand is on our ship beyond what they've ever thought was possible," Daley said. "Our imagination is pretty much the limit, other than where the rivers can take us."
Skift
5 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Inside India's Events and Meetings Aspirations
India upped its convention center game for the G20 Summit last year. Now, it is trying to drum up the marketing for these spaces across the country. But is India really MICE ready? India wants to feature among the world's top destinations for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). Earlier this month, tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat called MICE the fastest-growing tourism segment in India and a key driver for the country's economic growth. According to Shekhawat, India's MICE market generated $49.4 billion in revenue last year. That figure is expected to more than double to $103.7 billion by 2030. This growth, he said, will be driven by 'recent developments in MICE-ready destinations coming up in cities like Varanasi, Khajuraho and Kochi.' But while the government is bullish, event industry insiders say the ground reality is more complicated. More Than Convention Centers: A successful MICE destination requires more than just a convention center, Ramanpreet Singh, vice president of growth and strategy at events management company SKIL told Skift. 'It is about building a holistic ecosystem through air connectivity, multiple high-quality hotel options, efficient ground logistics, safety and security, digital readiness and above all, ease of doing business." Singh added that simple permissions, proactive local authorities, and support from the community are just as crucial as physical infrastructure. Samit Garg, president of the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) and co-founder of E-Factor Experiences, agreed. For him, destinations need to be appealing on multiple levels. "Culture, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment matter to delegates." Both SKIL and EEMA pointed to several smaller cities that are on the way to be MICE-suitable: Jaipur, Udaipur, Goa, Rishikesh, Jim Corbett, Kochi, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, and Amritsar. But the real challenge: converting intent into real MICE capability. Take for instance, a destination like Khajuraho that the central government is positioning as a MICE venue after the opening of a convention center. 'The ground reality is still quite different,' Singh said. 'It remains a Tier‐2 town with limited flight connectivity, modest hotel infrastructure, and very basic support services." Singh pointed out that while the intent to develop it as a MICE destination is commendable, the actual ecosystem required to host large‐scale corporate events is still a work in progress. "Other cities that show strong promise include Hampi, Mahabalipuram, Shillong, Diu, and Bhubaneswar,' he said. Emerging Trends in MICE: According to Garg, the MICE sector itself is changing: "Event formats are evolving with hybrid events, AI-driven delegate engagement, and immersive technologies like AR/VR. Also, sustainability and smaller, boutique summits are gaining popularity." Personalization and incorporation of corporate-social responsibility (CSR) activities are also becoming key elements of events, Singh said. 'There is also a growing preference for experiential venues over standard banquet spaces,' he added. Integration of local culture, wellness, and local experiences is also becoming the norm. Singh added, 'MICE on cruises is an emerging format that is becoming increasingly attractive for corporates looking to create immersive, high‐impact experiences. Cruises work particularly well for incentive travel, leadership offsites, and celebratory events because they offer a contained environment with curated experiences.' Global Standing: India is positioning itself as a MICE destination for the world. Globally, MICE destinations have smooth transport, vendor readiness, top‐tier hospitality, entertainment options, and active government support. In India, Singh said, 'The infrastructure still feels disjointed. Organizers often have to stitch things together on their own. We're moving in the right direction, but we're not there yet.' Indian Visitors Were Washington, DC's Highest Spenders in 2024 In 2024, Indian visitors were the highest spenders in Washington, DC as they spent $344 million in the city last year. India was also the third-biggest international source market for Washington after Canada and the United Kingdom, Destination DC said in a statement. According to Tourism Economics, 191,000 Indians visited the destination. In 2024, India was the fourth-largest source country for the U.S., after Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Nearly 2.2 million Indians visited the country, according to data from the U.S. International Trade Administration. According to recent data shared by Skift Research, among the five major source markets of the U.S. — Canada, Germany, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom — there is a sharp decline in interest in visiting the U.S. among all sources except for India. 'In Canada, the share of negatively biased travelers exceeded those with a positive bias by 36%. In India, there was a net positivity gap of +41% in favor of travelers being 'more likely' to visit the U.S. today versus 12 months ago,' the report said. IHCL to Invest in Hotels in Northeast Indian States Taj-parent Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) is looking to invest in hotels in Northeast India as the number of tourists in the region increase. The company's area director for North East Jayanta Das said at a recent event that IHCL is looking to increase its presence in the Northeast across its brands to 30 hotels by 2030. He added that the company is looking to invest INR 25 billion ($293 million) in the region over the next three years. IHCL is also looking to build new tourist circuits and itineraries across all eight states in the region, Das added. 'Our planned expansion into the northeast is backed by belief in sustainable luxury and community-led development. We currently have nine operating hotels and two luxury homestays,' he said. The company's pipeline includes five upcoming hotels in Agartala, Itanagar, Guwahati, Jorhat, and Dibrugarh. Delhi's Terminal 1 Airport Roof Damaged A part of the roof outside Delhi Airport's domestic terminal T1 was damaged in the rainfall. The tensile fabric used as the roof in the arrival forecourt tore off due to water collection. No one was injured in the incident. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesperson said that there was no structural compromise or impact to other parts of the terminal. 'Swift action was taken by the ground teams to restore normal conditions, ensuring safety and continuity of operations with minimal disruption,' the statement added. A similar incident had taken place last June when a canopy at the departure forecourt collapsed leading to one fatality and injuries to several other people. Meliá Hotels Launches 'Atithi Program' for Indian Groups Spanish hotel chain Meliá Hotels International has unveiled an initiative designed for Indian groups. The 'Atithi Program' (guest program) has been created to welcome Indian groups traveling to Europe, the company said in a statement. It added that the program introduces specialized offerings for Indian tourists including culturally familiar aspects and Indian cuisine. The program also aims to cater to Indian weddings, corporate offsites, and celebratory getaways. For this, Meliá has curated a portfolio of hotels across key European destinations. All the properties are experienced in hosting Indian groups and events, it added. Radisson Expands Presence in East India Radisson Hotel Group has signed three new hotels in East India — Radisson Blu Hotel Deoghar, Jharkhand, Radisson RED Puri, Odisha, and Radisson Resort & Spa, Ranchi, Jharkhand. The three properties have a combined inventory of 400 keys. According to Nikhil Sharma, managing director in South Asia region for Radisson Hotel Group, the expansion is driven by growing momentum of spiritual, cultural, and medical tourism in India and these regions.
