India's MICE Sector To Boost Economy And Jobs

India's MICE sector is positioned as a critical growth engine with strong backing from the central and state governments. At the Meet in India Conclave 2025, leaders highlighted the potential of MICE tourism to generate employment, attract global events, and boost infrastructure. India aims to elevate ten cities to top MICE destinations, with projections showing rapid market growth.

India's MICE sector is positioned as a key pillar of economic growth and employment generation, with central and state governments reinforcing their commitment to transforming the country into a global MICE powerhouse. This was the central message at the Meet in India Conclave 2025 held in Jaipur on the sidelines of the 14th Great Indian Travel Bazaar, GITB.

The event, jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, and FICCI, brought together over 300 delegates, including international and domestic MICE operators, foreign tour planners, state tourism officials and key stakeholders from the travel and hospitality sectors.

Delivering the keynote address, Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat emphasised that India's MICE sector is emerging as a significant economic driver. "With iconic venues such as Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi and strong government backing, we aim to elevate at least 10 Indian cities to the world's top MICE destinations," he stated, pointing to a broader vision of transforming India into the world's most admired events destination.

NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson Suman Bery reinforced this vision, calling MICE tourism a development imperative with the potential to create high-quality, skill-intensive employment. He understood the need for centre-state coordination, deregulation, and cross-ministerial integration to support the sector's full potential.

Rajasthan's Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari showcased the state's transformation from a heritage tourism hub to a future-ready MICE destination, emphasising a public-private partnership model that integrates local artisans, digital infrastructure, and hospitality services. "Rajasthan is ready to host high-impact global events and offer an enriching experience that blends tradition with transformation," she said.

Echoing this, Odisha Deputy CM Pravati Parida presented Odisha as a rising MICE player with a unique mix of spiritual, cultural, and architectural richness backed by robust infrastructure and connectivity. Suman Billa, Additional Secretary at the DG of Tourism, highlighted that India could break into the global top five MICE markets by 2025, provided there is enhanced coordination, branding, and city-level convention bureaus. "India has the infrastructure and demand; now we need cohesive execution," he noted.

The session also saw contributions from Dr Jyotsna Suri, Past President of FICCI, who stressed that India's G20 presidency proved the nation's ability to host large-scale events. "Through platforms like GITB and Meet in India, we are showcasing capability and inviting collaboration," she said.

According to recent figures, India's MICE market reached USD 49.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow more than double to USD 103.7 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 13 per cent. Growth is driven by the rise of MICE-ready destinations in cities like Varanasi, Khajuraho, and Kochi, alongside India's massive infrastructure push, including over 150 operational airports, semi-high-speed trains, and 2.45 million hotel rooms.

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