Ranked as some of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, Bali and Phuket have managed to make a mark in the emerging MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events) industry as well. Situated in Southeast Asia’s Indonesia and Thailand, these coastal destinations attract millions of visitors with their stunning natural wonders and adventure activities. MICE, which stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events, is a rapidly emerging strand of business tourism that has brought attention to numerous cities and towns. The post-Covid era has been marked by a massive tourism rebound for Bali and Phuket, with tourists flocking to these destinations in higher numbers than before.
Pristine beaches, availability of numerous luxury resorts and stays suitable for MICE events and vibrant cultural traditions have made these cities the next big thing. Bali, which hosted the G20 summit in 2022, has attracted global attention that goes beyond its traditional image as a vacation favourite. Meanwhile Phuket, with its unique reputation as the world’s party capital, offers mesmerising locations to hold business events and conferences that promise productivity with leisure. Be their easy accessibility from any corner of the world to apt infrastructural facilities, the twin cities have it all to entice incentive travel planners.
CONNECTIVITY
MICE tourism in Bali and Phuket attract thousands of annual visitors with their convenient visa rules, including the visa-on-arrival facility. While Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport is Indonesia’s second busiest, Phuket International Airport is also among Thailand’s most popular airports. Since both cities are based on islands, road connectivity with the outside world is a no-brainer, a situation catered to by frequent flight connectivity to every continent on earth. Quick direct flights are available from most major European, American, Asian, Australian, and even African cities, while layover flights provide more frequency here. And once you reach these picturesque destinations, each attraction is well-connected to the airports with roads and world-class public transport. Bali and Phuket also have easy accessibility to other Indonesian and Thai cities via road and rail, encouraging multi-city MICE tours.
INFRASTRUCTURE
The most promising factor for MICE tourism in Bali and Phuket is their unique geography as coastal cities. Since their development as tourist-centric destinations, their hospitality sector has accommodations that promise a stunning blend of luxury and affordability. No matter what your budget is, you will always find a suitable space for your business meetings and conferences. With conference rooms, fully-equipped halls, public dining spaces and well-trained staff, the resorts are ideal for conducting successful events. You can even book a private beach for your clients and employees and get important work done in calm and relaxing surroundings. As for major incentive meetings and events, large venues are also available here replete with all modern facilities as well as mesmerising views.
Hotels in Phuket and Bali have hundreds of rooms offering world-class facilities, and most are well-connected by a seamless public transport network. Taxis and ride-sharing services are the most common form of transport here, along with regular ferry and bus services connecting different attractions. And if you are hoping for a more private mode of travelling around, you can also charter minibuses and luxury cars for your team. Don’t worry about the budget, as you will find accommodation and transport perfectly in line with your expectations and itineraries.
HOSTING EVENTS
Among the rising MICE tourism destinations in Southeast Asia, Bali and Phuket have gradually been developing into an economic force to reckon with. These cities have years of experience hosting grand cultural festivals and programmes and have recently come into focus for major international events. Numerous educational conferences like Phuket’s International Conference on Medical and Health Science or Bali’s successful hosting of the 2022 G20 summit list out success stories crafted by these cities. Be it fairs, cultural extravaganzas, art festivals, sports activities, traditional festivals or vibrant carnivals, Bali and Phuket always have a packed events calendar. No matter when you plan your events and meetings, attendees will be able to explore the colourful culture of the cities at the end of the day. With more than a hundred events organised each month, ranging from business conferences to DJ concerts, Bali and Phuket draw thousands of tourists with their diverse experiences.
OTHER FACTORS
A crucial requirement of MICE tours in Bali and Phuket is a solid telecommunications network, a criterion that has been successfully catered to in recent years. Local networks have incorporated the latest innovations in the industry at cheap rates, which guarantees seamless connectivity in all areas. And if language barriers are a bother, Bali and Phuket have for years nurtured a successful tourism industry by using English as a means of communication. On the security front, the cities have worked tremendously to provide safe experiences to the thousands of visitors who visit annually. With strict laws and efficient policing, Bali and Phuket promise a fun yet productive time for your teammates and clients. Be it embracing their cultural traditions or adapting to modern demands, the cities are emerging as lucrative destinations for Western as well as Eastern MICE tourism.
Professionals believe that the position of Bali and Phuket in the MICE tours industry is set to skyrocket in the upcoming years. An important contributing factor is the local government’s efforts to make the cities business-friendly and accessible. This brand of tourism has already had a growing positive impact on the economies of Thailand and Indonesia by generating millions of dollars in revenue in the post-Covid era. The prime winners have been the hospitality and tourism sectors, as MICE events have massive economic value when visitors combine event participation with leisure. Bali’s successful organisation of the 2022 G20 summit, which saw participation from the world’s most powerful economies, has encouraged various industries like hospitality, real estate, tourism, and transportation. With their unparalleled popularity as two of Asia’s most popular beach destinations, Bali and Phuket have garnered increasing interest in the MICE tours industry.
So, when you plan your next MICE tours itinerary, choose Bali and Phuket for their unmatched promise of productivity combined with natural leisure and vibrant cultural traditions.
