Vibrant Gujarat emerging as a preferred destination for MICE industry

AHMEDABAD : Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the 14th Conventions India Conclave-2023, a prelude to the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investment Summit-2024. At the inauguration, he said that the success of the Vibrant Summit, which commenced in 2003 under PM Modi, has shown Gujarat’s ability to successfully organise global-level events.

He highlighted that due to the efforts of PM Modi, India is now being positioned as a leading global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination, and Gujarat is well on its way to becoming the preferred choice for the MICE industry.

The three-day Conventions India Conclave has been arranged by the State Government’s Tourism Department under the Ministry of Tourism.

Anticipating over 400 participants, including delegates, exhibitors, and buyers, participating in B2B meetings and conferences, the conclave is poised to become a substantial platform. Highlighting that over 40 percent of the revenue in the tourism sector is derived from the MICE industry, Patel said that there is significant potential to generate employment from this sector, which will have a positive impact on the local economy.

The CM stated that India held the presidency of the G20, during which Gujarat planned 17 events successfully. He underlined the growth of adventure tourism, heritage tourism, and religious tourism in Gujarat and said that the state’s shift towards conference tourism, has led to venues such as the Mahatma Mandir, Statue of Unity, Rann of Kutch, and Tent City evolving as key destinations for hosting national and international conferences.

Meanwhile, the state’s Tourism Minister, Mulubhai Bera said that Gujarat has become a favoured destination for global tourists. Renowned for its wealth of heritage sites, prehistoric landmarks, pilgrim places, and natural wonders like the White Desert, Gujarat’s mountains, forests, beaches, and deserts continue to captivate tourists.

Bera recalled that Dhordo village in Kutch was recently awarded the prestigious title of ‘Best Tourism Village’ by United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNESCO). Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, various infrastructure facilities are being developed to enhance the travel experience for tourists worldwide.