Mice tourism getting popular in Nepal
Published in Nepal Travel Trade Reporter in 2000
A good meeting is like a good cup of cappuccino- tasty, smooth, full-bodied, simple, unpretentious, fun which brings folks together at a table to discuss common interests and, hopefully, open their minds to new views, thoughts and ideas. A satisfying cup of cappuccino, however, is easier to make than a good meeting.
For one, fewer ingredients are required. For another, measurements are exact, unlike producing great meetings, where you have to employ a variety of elements and still can't be sure about success until the event is over. That's why, when one comes across a meeting that works, one should celebrate it- just like a victory over a strong opponent. And, in fact, it doesn't apply only to meeting but to all other three letters of MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition). Hosting a meeting or convention is an art, not only a business matter.
In the face of strong regional and worldwide competition, Nepal is belaboring to positioning its image as a popular destination for conference, meeting and incentive travel. However, Nepal has an image problem. It is perceived as a seasonal destination although it is no longer so that. The biggest challenge Nepal gets in the MICE market is from South East Asian countries which so far have all basic infrastructure for this particular kind of tourism.
The biggest problem Nepal faces right now is to bring five hundred people at a time for convention. Because of bottleneck air capacity, Nepal can hardly bring five hundred people at once from any destination whether it's Bangkok, Singapore or New Delhi. Whereas other competitors like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore or Indonesia has no flight problem as such to garner the green pasture of MICE tourism. Lackluster performance and unreliability of Nepal's national carrier-RNAC that persists giving heavy blow to Nepal's tourism industry has become a major trouble maker in the recent years. Everybody thinks it's very inconvenient to depend on RNAC for such big convention. Having all kind of facilities existed in Nepal, bringing people en mass is still a headache for organizers and the host.
Just recently a lots of venues outside Kathmandu have been developed to capitalise the MICE market. Newly built The Fulbari Resort & Spa in Pokhara successfully hosted the PATA Adventure Travel & Ecotourism Conference & Mart in January 28-31, 2000. This apart, there is Shangri-La Village Resort and Hotel Bluebird, which provide all kind of facilities for MICE tourism.
Since MICE market has become very competitive, it's imperative to target particular kind of convention or seminar or meeting, which Nepal can handle without any hassle. Although some of South East Asian countries have the best facilities available in the region, Nepal can be a good destination for many reasons. In a bid to capitalise the MICE market, Nepal Incentive and Convention Association (NICA) came into existence three years ago. Initially supported fully by the private sector, Nepal Tourism Board has recently agreed to help NICA financially for its activities. NICA has already accomplished some successes in bringing Peking to Paris Vintage car rally and some other activities. But due to lack of fund and cohesion in the past, NICA has not achieved the desired success as it was expected. Under the new leadership of Yogendra Sakya, NICA has formed different committees to gear up its activities in promoting Nepal as a MICE destination as well as bidding for international conference and seminar.
The World Confederation of Teachers World Congress (WTC), which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last year was quite specific in what it wanted from the destination which may be useful Nepal's MICE experts.
• Facilities: the conference facilities, main hall and break up rooms must be on one level; specific audio-visual equipments with multi-language translation system is a must as delegates are from four continents, speaking different languages.
• Hotel rating: four to five star but not necessarily a major brand nor anywhere intimidating as about 50 per cent of the participants are from third world countries.
• Dedicated MICE contact to coordinate all arrangements
• Price: competitive in destination for hotels, airfares, shopping and meals.
Hong Kong
• Major Convention & Exhibition venues
• Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
• Hong Kong Coliseum
• Hong Kong Cultural Centre
• Hong Kong International Trade and Exhibition Centre
• Queen Elizabeth Stadium
Room Count
• 105 hotels; 40,856 rooms
Key MICE contact
• Hong Kong Convention and Incentive Travel Bureau(HKCITB)
Cost indicators:
• Can of coke hotel minibar -US$ 4.50
• Metered taxi- flag down rate- US$ 1.80 additional 200m US$ 0.15
• Mineral water in supermarket- US$ 0.70
Indonesia
• Major Convention & Exhibition venues
• Balai Sidang Jakarta Convention Centre
• Jakarta Fairground Kemayoran
• Bali International Convention Centre
Room Count
• Jakarta: 104 hotels; 20,294 rooms
• Bali: 106 hotels; 16,811 rooms
• Bandung: 118 hotels; 10,547 rooms
• Surabaya: 51 hotels; 5316 rooms
• Yogyakarta: 29 hotels; 2,915 rooms
Key MICE contact
• Jakarta Convention Bureau (JCB)
• Indonesia Exhibition and Convention Organisers Association
• Society of Indonesian Professional Convention Organisers
Cost indicators:
• Can of coke hotel minibar -US$ 1.80
• Metered taxi- flag down rate- US$ 0.18 additional 200m US$ 0.06
• Mineral water in supermarket- US$ 0.18
Malaysia
Major Convention & Exhibition venues
• Putra World Trade Centre
• Malaysia International Exhibition and Showroom
• Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre
• JB Convention & Exhibition Centre
Room Count
• Kuala Lumpur: 12,261 rooms
• Penang: 12,126 rooms
Key MICE contact
• Ministry of Culture, Art and Tourism
• Malaysia Tourism Promotional Board
Cost indicators:
• Can of coke hotel minibar -US$ 1.60
• Metered taxi- flag down rate- US$ 0.55 additonal 200m US$ 0.02
• Mineral water in supermarket- US$ 0.60
Singapore
Major Convention & Exhibition venues
• Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre(SICEC)
• World Trade Centre
• Singapore Expo
Room Count
• 87 hotels; 26,867 rooms
Key MICE contact
• Singapore Tourism Board
Cost indicators:
• Can of coke hotel minibar -US$ 3.40
• Metered taxi- flag down rate- US$ 1.50 additonal 240m US$ 0.10
• Mineral water in supermarket- US$ 0.75
Thailand
Major Convention & Exhibition venues
• Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre
• Bangkok International Trade &Exhibition Centre
• Golden Jubilee Convention Hall Khon Kaem University
Room Count
• Chiang Mai: 290 hotels; 16,171 rooms
• Pattaya: 242 hotels; 23,484 rooms
• Phuket: 301 hotels; 19,133 rooms
• Khon Kaen: 44 hotels; 2,488 rooms
Key MICE contact
• Thailand Incentive & Convention Association
• Tourism Authority of Thailand
• Thailand Exhibition Association
Cost indicators:
• Can of coke hotel minibar -US$ 1.30
• Metered taxi- flag down rate- US$ 0.80 additonal kilometre ranges between US$ 0.10 and US$ 0.12
• Mineral water in supermarket- US$ 0.18
Nepal
Major Convention & Exhibition venues
• Birendra International Convention Centre
Room Count
• Kathmandu: 2489 rooms
• Pokhara: 428 rooms
Key MICE contact
• Nepal Incentive and Convention Association(NICA)
• Nepal Tourism Board
• House of Rajkarnicar
Cost indicators:
• Can of coke hotel minibar -US$ 0.70
• Metered taxi- flag down rate- US$ 0.10 additional 200m US$ 0.02
• Mineral water in supermarket- US$ 0.21
A good meeting is like a good cup of cappuccino- tasty, smooth, full-bodied, simple, unpretentious, fun which brings folks together at a table to discuss common interests and, hopefully, open their minds to new views, thoughts and ideas. A satisfying cup of cappuccino, however, is easier to make than a good meeting.
For one, fewer ingredients are required. For another, measurements are exact, unlike producing great meetings, where you have to employ a variety of elements and still can't be sure about success until the event is over. That's why, when one comes across a meeting that works, one should celebrate it- just like a victory over a strong opponent. And, in fact, it doesn't apply only to meeting but to all other three letters of MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition). Hosting a meeting or convention is an art, not only a business matter.
In the face of strong regional and worldwide competition, Nepal is belaboring to positioning its image as a popular destination for conference, meeting and incentive travel. However, Nepal has an image problem. It is perceived as a seasonal destination although it is no longer so that. The biggest challenge Nepal gets in the MICE market is from South East Asian countries which so far have all basic infrastructure for this particular kind of tourism.
The biggest problem Nepal faces right now is to bring five hundred people at a time for convention. Because of bottleneck air capacity, Nepal can hardly bring five hundred people at once from any destination whether it's Bangkok, Singapore or New Delhi. Whereas other competitors like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore or Indonesia has no flight problem as such to garner the green pasture of MICE tourism. Lackluster performance and unreliability of Nepal's national carrier-RNAC that persists giving heavy blow to Nepal's tourism industry has become a major trouble maker in the recent years. Everybody thinks it's very inconvenient to depend on RNAC for such big convention. Having all kind of facilities existed in Nepal, bringing people en mass is still a headache for organizers and the host.
Just recently a lots of venues outside Kathmandu have been developed to capitalise the MICE market. Newly built The Fulbari Resort & Spa in Pokhara successfully hosted the PATA Adventure Travel & Ecotourism Conference & Mart in January 28-31, 2000. This apart, there is Shangri-La Village Resort and Hotel Bluebird, which provide all kind of facilities for MICE tourism.
Since MICE market has become very competitive, it's imperative to target particular kind of convention or seminar or meeting, which Nepal can handle without any hassle. Although some of South East Asian countries have the best facilities available in the region, Nepal can be a good destination for many reasons. In a bid to capitalise the MICE market, Nepal Incentive and Convention Association (NICA) came into existence three years ago. Initially supported fully by the private sector, Nepal Tourism Board has recently agreed to help NICA financially for its activities. NICA has already accomplished some successes in bringing Peking to Paris Vintage car rally and some other activities. But due to lack of fund and cohesion in the past, NICA has not achieved the desired success as it was expected. Under the new leadership of Yogendra Sakya, NICA has formed different committees to gear up its activities in promoting Nepal as a MICE destination as well as bidding for international conference and seminar.
The World Confederation of Teachers World Congress (WTC), which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last year was quite specific in what it wanted from the destination which may be useful Nepal's MICE experts.
• Facilities: the conference facilities, main hall and break up rooms must be on one level; specific audio-visual equipments with multi-language translation system is a must as delegates are from four continents, speaking different languages.
• Hotel rating: four to five star but not necessarily a major brand nor anywhere intimidating as about 50 per cent of the participants are from third world countries.
• Dedicated MICE contact to coordinate all arrangements
• Price: competitive in destination for hotels, airfares, shopping and meals.
Hong Kong
• Major Convention & Exhibition venues
• Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
• Hong Kong Coliseum
• Hong Kong Cultural Centre
• Hong Kong International Trade and Exhibition Centre
• Queen Elizabeth Stadium
Room Count
• 105 hotels; 40,856 rooms
Key MICE contact
• Hong Kong Convention and Incentive Travel Bureau(HKCITB)
Cost indicators:
• Can of coke hotel minibar -US$ 4.50
• Metered taxi- flag down rate- US$ 1.80 additional 200m US$ 0.15
• Mineral water in supermarket- US$ 0.70
Indonesia
• Major Convention & Exhibition venues
• Balai Sidang Jakarta Convention Centre
• Jakarta Fairground Kemayoran
• Bali International Convention Centre
Room Count
• Jakarta: 104 hotels; 20,294 rooms
• Bali: 106 hotels; 16,811 rooms
• Bandung: 118 hotels; 10,547 rooms
• Surabaya: 51 hotels; 5316 rooms
• Yogyakarta: 29 hotels; 2,915 rooms
Key MICE contact
• Jakarta Convention Bureau (JCB)
• Indonesia Exhibition and Convention Organisers Association
• Society of Indonesian Professional Convention Organisers
Cost indicators:
• Can of coke hotel minibar -US$ 1.80
• Metered taxi- flag down rate- US$ 0.18 additional 200m US$ 0.06
• Mineral water in supermarket- US$ 0.18
Malaysia
Major Convention & Exhibition venues
• Putra World Trade Centre
• Malaysia International Exhibition and Showroom
• Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre
• JB Convention & Exhibition Centre
Room Count
• Kuala Lumpur: 12,261 rooms
• Penang: 12,126 rooms
Key MICE contact
• Ministry of Culture, Art and Tourism
• Malaysia Tourism Promotional Board
Cost indicators:
• Can of coke hotel minibar -US$ 1.60
• Metered taxi- flag down rate- US$ 0.55 additonal 200m US$ 0.02
• Mineral water in supermarket- US$ 0.60
Singapore
Major Convention & Exhibition venues
• Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre(SICEC)
• World Trade Centre
• Singapore Expo
Room Count
• 87 hotels; 26,867 rooms
Key MICE contact
• Singapore Tourism Board
Cost indicators:
• Can of coke hotel minibar -US$ 3.40
• Metered taxi- flag down rate- US$ 1.50 additonal 240m US$ 0.10
• Mineral water in supermarket- US$ 0.75
Thailand
Major Convention & Exhibition venues
• Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre
• Bangkok International Trade &Exhibition Centre
• Golden Jubilee Convention Hall Khon Kaem University
Room Count
• Chiang Mai: 290 hotels; 16,171 rooms
• Pattaya: 242 hotels; 23,484 rooms
• Phuket: 301 hotels; 19,133 rooms
• Khon Kaen: 44 hotels; 2,488 rooms
Key MICE contact
• Thailand Incentive & Convention Association
• Tourism Authority of Thailand
• Thailand Exhibition Association
Cost indicators:
• Can of coke hotel minibar -US$ 1.30
• Metered taxi- flag down rate- US$ 0.80 additonal kilometre ranges between US$ 0.10 and US$ 0.12
• Mineral water in supermarket- US$ 0.18
Nepal
Major Convention & Exhibition venues
• Birendra International Convention Centre
Room Count
• Kathmandu: 2489 rooms
• Pokhara: 428 rooms
Key MICE contact
• Nepal Incentive and Convention Association(NICA)
• Nepal Tourism Board
• House of Rajkarnicar
Cost indicators:
• Can of coke hotel minibar -US$ 0.70
• Metered taxi- flag down rate- US$ 0.10 additional 200m US$ 0.02
• Mineral water in supermarket- US$ 0.21
posted by Sarad @ 12:18 AM
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