India’s MICE sector to grow at 12–14% annually for next 3-5 years: NIMA

While established hubs such as Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai continue to lead, Tier-2 and Tier-3 destinations including Goa, Udaipur, Jaipur, Kochi, Varanasi and Indore are emerging as attractive alternatives.

India recorded close to 3 billion domestic tourist visits in 2024, with domestic visitor spending driving the sector’s post-pandemic growth, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Industry projections estimate India’s domestic tourism market will reach approximately INR 35 trillion by 2029, while surveys indicate that a majority of Indian travellers plan to increase their travel spending.

Reflecting this momentum, Dr Nitin Mittal, National Coordinator, Network of Indian MICE Association (NIMA), said in a recent public address: “India’s MICE and destination-wedding industry is witnessing strong momentum, with corporate MICE growing by 10–15% year-on-year and destination weddings expanding at an even faster 15–20%, taking the combined segment to around 12–15% growth over the previous year. While established hubs such as Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai continue to lead, Tier-2 and Tier-3 destinations including Goa, Udaipur, Jaipur, Kochi, Varanasi and Indore are emerging as attractive alternatives, driven by their infrastructure, cultural appeal and cost advantages. Over the next 3–5 years, the sector is expected to grow at 12–14% annually. Strengthening connectivity, streamlining visas, developing city-level convention bureaus and introducing targeted incentives for global events will be critical to positioning India as a leading global destination for MICE and weddings.”