Travel

MICE- big cheese for Ho Chi Minh City tourism

Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) tourism should become a staple of Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector, as the lucrative business brings added value and contributes to the city’s sustainable development, experts said.
MICE- big cheese for Ho Chi Minh City tourism ảnh 1Foreign MICE tourists organise international conference in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition(MICE) tourism should become a staple of Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector, as thelucrative business brings added value and contributes to the city’s sustainabledevelopment, experts said.

According to statistics from McKinsey consulting group, 17 percent of visitorsto HCM City came for working purposes in 2017, higher than the region’s averageof 14-15 percent.

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Hotel Association Tao Van Nghe said that incontrast with budget tourism, MICE tourists tend to spend more during theirstay, a potential boon for the city.

Ho Chi Minh City also has potential to branch out MICE tourism as it attractsmore than 50 percent of international tourists to Vietnam. Thanks to the city’sgood investment and business climate, it has become a popular spot for many internationalbusiness forums.

Visitors from Malaysia and India chose Ho Chi Minh City for both vacations andseeking business partners, Nghe added.

However, to make MICE part of the city’s strategic tourism products, Ho ChiMinh City should land more investment in infrastructure, especially restaurants,hotels and convention centres as current facilities are below the standards ofMICE tourism.

Nghe said that the city has only 20 five-star hotels and 20 four-star hotels,thus, it will face difficulties arranging accommodation and venues for MICEdelegations of more than 1,000 people.

Along with top quality and modern facilities, accommodation prices must becompetitive so Ho Chi Minh can become a darling with MICE tourists, BenWieglus, Head of Sustainability under Informa Group suggested.

Meanwhile, simple visa procedures were recommended by Scott Hodgetts, GeneralDirector at Sheraton Saigon Hotels and Towers.

Additional direct flights connecting the city with other large cities should helpdevelop MICE tourism.

Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Bui Ta Hoang Vu said that thecity plans to build a 14 hectare convention centre in Thu Thiem urban area andset up a throngs of top-notch hotels to meet demands of MICE tourists.-VNA
VNA
#MICE tourism#staple#Ho Chi Minh City's tourism sector#lucrative business#sustainable development#strategic tourism products#simple visa procedures#direct flights#Vietnam#vietnam news#Vietnamplus
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