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Top 12 MICE Business Events Destinations in Asia To Look Out For In 2022

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Skyline view of Hong Kong city

Top 12 MICE Business Events Destinations in Asia To Look Out For In 2022

It is safe to say that anyone who has had the opportunity to attend a/an meeting, incentive, conference or exhibition outside their home country before the pandemic, relishes to get back to in-person business events.

That’s because top business events destinations around the world are able to extend their best hospitality, culture, and cuisine to their delegates; all of which can never be felt or tasted when separated by a virtual screen.

However, as Covid-19 brought the MICE sector to its knees in early 2020, many major events around the globe were disrupted. Even smaller-scale business events were unable to take place, and networking in-person had to be brought to a halt.

But even as destinations sealed off their borders, many tourism and convention bureaus took the downtime to create new value propositions, recovery packages and digital solutions, which have gone a long way towards staying top-of-mind, as well as virtually host business events online.

Here are 12 business events destinations in Asia Pacific you should consider for your next MICE event, regardless of whether it is hybrid, virtual, or in-person.

1. THAILAND

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)

TCEB and its stakeholders have been collaborating to ensure that once travel borders reopen, Thailand is safe and ready to welcome MICE travellers with a wide range of support. Current initiatives include ‘Ease Up’ for meetings and incentives, ‘Re-energising Exhibition’ for exhibitions, ‘Convene Plus’ for Conventions, and ‘Thailand Power-Up’ for mega events and festivals.

2. SEOUL

Seoul Tourism Organisation (STO)

Seoul’s MICE industry has been continuously moving forward in preparation for business events in the new normal. During this period, the destination has introduced an array of creative and engaging digital assets to continue its promotional marketing online. One of their fruits of labour include Virtual Seoul, a platform to host online meetings that in-person attendees can also join in during hybrid events. Learn more in this video below.

3. JEJU

Dol Hareubang with Lotte Hotel Jeju in the background

Jeju Convention & Visitors Bureau (Jeju CVB)

Jeju CVB in South Korea has attained impressive know-how within the industry over the last decade, and has been able to offer excellent support programmes and one-stop information services. Currently, it focuses on building up its reputation as a top MICE destination. Jeju is also moving forward with the goal of becoming a sustainable MICE host city with the latest launch of its Green MICE campaign.

4. SAPPORO

Night view cityscape of Sapporo, Japan

Sapporo Convention Bureau

Sapporo’s diverse natural surroundings and lure of outdoor adventures during all seasons, coupled with its reputation as Japan’s gourmet capital, have put Sapporo on the map as a top incentive destination. According to TTGmice, Sapporo has continued to evolve amid the Covid-19 pandemic to build new business events facilities and improve its expertise in making use of the extraordinary nature available in Hokkaido.

5. THE PHILIPPINES

Landscape of Coron, Busuanga island, Palawan province, Philippines

Tourism Promotion Board, Philippines (TPB)

As Asia’s pioneer in conventions, the Philippines can easily host an international event thanks to its many years of expertise and creative approaches. There is also the added incentive of being home to breathtaking natural wonders. In a recent interview, TPB shared that they had to be more agile and creative in marketing the destination throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The tourism board also revealed how it has been motivating local tourism partners as the country works through enforcing governmental guidelines to ensure the health and safety.

6. PENANG

Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB)

Penang offers award-winning convention facilities and world-class accommodation for global business events clients with exclusive support and incentive packages for planners. PCEB highlighted its Business Events Penang Here for Tomorrow campaign at the IT&CM China and CTW China 2021 virtual event, and demonstrated Penang’s readiness to serve and support events through the Covid-19 pandemic with safety-first SOPs in place. Learn more in this video below.

7. TAIWAN

MEET Taiwan

Taiwan’s abundant capacity and outstanding capability for holding various business events serves as an ultimate destination for MICE events. MEET Taiwan is ready to provide generous support for MICE activities in Taiwan with their Business Events in Surprising Taiwan (BEST) Rewards Program. Taiwan bills itself as ‘The Place to Meet’, as the government has ensured implemented guidelines to achieve a high standard of safety. Learn more in this video below.

8. HONG KONG

Skyline view of Hong Kong city

Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)

Hong Kong is an attractive destination with a compelling combination of attributes such as a strategic location, the promise of dynamic business environments, and the provision of professional support. It comes as no surprise then that Hong Kong continues to be an ideal destination for MICE events, especially so in the new normal. From stringent hygiene guidelines to rolling out new attractions and experience, Hong Kong stands ever-ready to welcome international visitors back.

9. INDONESIA

Mount Bromo in East Java, Indonesia

Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE), Indonesia

Indonesia has plenty to offer, from scenic natural landscapes blended with unique culture to the genuine hospitality the locals exude that leaves visitors wanting more. And as it marches towards the new normal, MoTCE has introduced an InDOnesia CARE initiative, where event organisers can rest assured with mandatory precautions in place for the safety of delegates. The destination also places the wellbeing of its visitors as their top-most priority.

10. YOKOHAMA

Cityscape of Yokohama in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau (YCVB)

Yokohama, the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture, has increasingly gained reputation as a leading convention city in Japan. Yokohama is the ideal location for global conference, thanks to state-of-the-art event facilities like the newly-built Pacifico Yokohama North that can host large-scale events, alongside nearby world-class accommodation. The vast experience YCVB has in organising events, bolstered by financial and other forms of support from the city, makes it a standout choice as a MICE and business events destination.

11. NEW ZEALAND

Wellington cable car, New Zealand

Tourism New Zealand

New Zealand has it all – think stunning landscapes, world-class venues, and a diverse range of activities for your incentive delegates. Its unique Māori culture and friendly hospitality – manaakitanga – will certainly help create memorable moments all around. The destination also offers professional support with its Conference Assistance Programme that includes bidding and marketing assistance tailored to your event.

12. AUSTRALIA

Uluru (Ayer's Rock) in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia

Tourism Australia

There is no lack of diversity and possibility of experiences in Australia. From urban hubs like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, to the unique landscapes of Uluru and the tropical islands of the Whitsundays. The business events industry in Australia has years of experience in ensuring that events, regardless of whether they are large-scale international conferences to small groups of incentives, exceeds all expectations. The valuable information and support that the destination is able to offer demonstrates that there’s nothing like Australia for business events.

International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), Australia

International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney)

Sydney is Australia’s most cosmopolitan city with a growing reputation for attracting and delivering large-scale business events. This city offers state-of-the-art facilities, strengths in key industry sectors, and flexible accommodation. And standing right in the heart of it all is the acclaimed International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), able to host any convention, exhibition, as well as hybrid events.

To find out more, be sure to attend the upcoming IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific 2021 virtual event (September 28-30) that will showcase destinations like these, MICE companies, Corporate Travel suppliers and more. The event will also offer one-on-one business meetings with exhibitors, on-demand access to knowledge content and presentations, networking and live engagement opportunities, as well as the best-in-industry incentive scheme that rewards buyers for their time with cash vouchers and attractive prizes. Eligible MICE, Association and Corporate Travel buyers are welcome, and buyer registration is free.