Outbound data also shows that Asia generally remains hot.
“Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are doing well due to visa agreements and better air connectivity with direct flights,” said Manpreet Bindra, FCM Meetings & Events leader for Asia.
But while demand for new MICE destinations is at an all-time high, he said reinvigorating well-known locations with fresh, exciting offerings ensures quick turnarounds.
As for inbound groups to Australia and New Zealand, there is strong interest from Indian MICE groups for both 2024 and 2025.
“This enthusiasm can be attributed to the ease of visa applications for Australia and diverse range of hotels, MICE venues, restaurants and experiences such as soft adventure activities, venues catering to Indian cuisine and the availability of cricket celebrity speakers in both countries,” Bindra said.
Jude D’Souza, FCM Meetings and Events leader for India, added: “The contemporary MICE experience includes a variety of impactful events at select locations or stand-alone venues, team-building engagements, wellness workshops and sessions with celebrity speakers.
“This multifaceted approach enriches the overall experience, making it both memorable and meaningful.”
At FCM Meetings and Events global launch in Singapore in October, its global general manager Simone Seiler commented on the trend towards merging multiple events and meetings into single, comprehensive gatherings.
“This approach optimises time and investment, minimising travel costs and supporting sustainability,” she said.
Planning large-scale travel arrangements early enables travel management companies to optimise airline and hotel deals. Leadership meetings also often precede larger group events, consolidating activities into one efficient trip, she added.
Another trend is choosing non-hotel venues for dinners and networking evenings, for which the FCM Venue Finder is being promoted to event planners.
For conferences, MICE participants now prefer active engagement such as Q&A sessions, live polls and fireside chats, which allow for more dynamic participation. The FCM Summit at Raffles Singapore adopted this format with lively group discussions stimulating the afternoon program.
