The news: India's Tourism Ministry has sanctioned 117 projects worth Rs 5,757 crore to strengthen tourism and hospitality infrastructure nationwide. The investment spans convention centres, airport connectivity, and hospitality facilities across multiple states, directly benefiting the MICE ecosystem. This represents a significant government push to develop event infrastructure beyond metro cities.
Why it matters for MICE operators: Large government subsidies for convention centre construction and hospitality infrastructure signal opportunity in tier-2 and tier-3 cities where operators have traditionally focused only on metro markets. New purpose-built MICE venues in secondary cities will attract corporate conferences and exhibitions currently held in major metros. Operators should identify which cities received funding and position themselves early to capture inbound business as venues become operational.
The takeaway: Research which states received allocations and begin prospecting local corporates for events at new venues launching in 2024-2025.
Source: India's News.Net