In today’s fast-paced business world, corporate travel is much more than stuffy boardrooms and meeting halls. MICE experiences – an acronym that stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions – encompasses so much more. Although it took a hit during the pandemic, the MICE travel sector is beginning to bounce back and business travel is becoming the norm. Not only does MICE travel cater to the demands of big businesses, but it also embraces the spirit of adventure, offering travellers the ability to seamlessly blend work with leisure.
What is MICE Travel?
MICE links business travel, events, and the tourism sector, and involves any trip where large groups gather together with a particular purpose destination. MICE experiences could be anything from a conference with attendees from across the globe, meeting with clients or stakeholders in another city, or even a team-building retreat designed to motivate employees. The travel opportunities associated with the MICE industry have led to an increase in travel companies that focus on providing products or services for business travellers, and certain destinations have become popular MICE destinations.
Leave the Office Behind
Gone are the days of meetings in boring, characterless offices. With MICE experiences, you can breathe new life into meetings and corporate gatherings with a plethora of exotic venues. Imagine meeting with new clients against the backdrop of Ras Al Khaimah’s breathtaking mountains, or brainstorming ideas after strolling through the streets of Barcelona. MICE travel is redefining the corporate meeting experience, making meetings more inspiring and fostering collaboration.
Incentivise Your Team
MICE travel isn’t just about signing contracts and making deals. Many businesses today offer their employees incentives to reward or motivate them. Incentive travel is one of the best ways of fostering a stronger, healthier corporate culture, and includes gifted holidays, company retreats, or day trips. The UAE in particular boasts a wide array of incentives that go beyond material rewards. By taking your employees on thrilling dune bashing adventures in the desert, or soaring through the air on the world’s longest zipline, for example, you can create lasting memories and instil a sense of loyalty within your workforce.
Connecting Cultures and Businesses
Conferences and exhibitions have become global platforms for exchanging ideas and connecting cultures. The UAE, with its strategic geographical location as the world’s air travel hub (66 million people passed through Dubai Airport in 2022), has become a meeting point for professionals from around the world. The UAE’s cities regularly host conferences and exhibitions at locations such as the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Al Hamra International Exhibition & Convention Center in Ras Al Khaimah. When not attending these conferences, visitors also have the chance to immerse themselves in the local culture and try new cuisines. Conferences and exhibitions are a chance for business travellers to bridge the gap between different perspectives, making them not just educational but transformative experiences.
Middle Eastern MICE Experiences
In recent years, the Middle East has emerged as an epicentre for MICE travel, offering a harmonious convergence of business and leisure. With world-class infrastructure, cutting-edge technology, and an innate understanding of hospitality, the region has transformed the MICE landscape. Middle Eastern cities, from Ras Al Khaimah and Riyadh to Amman and Muscat, aren’t merely hosts to the globe’s business travellers – they are partners in curating unique experiences that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of travellers.