India’s business events industry has received a much-needed shot in the arm since assuming the G20 presidency last month, with over 200 meetings pencilled on the calendar.
Stakeholders opined that G20 presidency offers myriad opportunities as it will thrust India’s business events capabilities into the global spotlight, as well as offer various opportunities to showcase the country’s ability to host global business events.
Meera Charnalia – senior vice president and head – MICE, Thomas Cook (India) called G20 a “mega platform” that offers local business events operators and businesses the opportunity to show off its “prowess and rapidly-growing MICE infrastructure”. This is also a good chance to showcase the country’s rich culture, as well as its natural beauty.
The 200 meetings will be held across more than 50 cities, such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala and Maharashtra. These cities are also utilising the meetings to showcase new tourism experiences. For instance, Uttar Pradesh is offering delegates a taste of Braj culture through folk song and dance performances. Braj is a region in India of which a significant area (Mathura-Vrindavan) encompasses Uttar Pradesh.
“While India enjoys high recall as an inbound tourism destination, the country’s significant and diverse MICE potential has yet to be fully leveraged. Hence, India’s G20 Presidency offers valuable opportunity by putting India’s MICE capabilities into the spotlight like never before,” added Charnalia.
Sharad K Upadhyay, general manager, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, agreed, adding that the G20 meetings will help introduce India’s lesser-known areas to a global audience.
He said: “The media mileage will be tremendous, and such meetings will also ensure that hotels and conference venues will also be updated with the latest in technology and services, thereby enhancing the overall ecosystem required to host high-profile MICE events.”
