Goa Tourism Joins ICPB to Strengthen MICE Segment
Membership Aims to Expand Business Events and Corporate Travel in Goa
Goa Tourism has secured a lifetime membership with the India Convention Promotion Bureau as part of its efforts to develop the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) segment.
The announcement was made on 26 March 2026 in Panaji, marking a step towards positioning Goa as a year-round destination for business travel and events, alongside its established leisure tourism offering.
Formalization of Partnership
The membership certificate was presented at a ceremony held at Assembleia, Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon. The certificate was handed over by Arun Srivastava, Neeraj Dhawan, and Poonam Rajput to representatives of the Goa Tourism Department.
The collaboration connects Goa more closely with ICPB's network, which promotes India as a destination for conventions and business events.
Focus on Infrastructure and Connectivity
Goa has been expanding its tourism strategy to include business travel, driven by infrastructure and connectivity improvements. Planned convention centres at Rua de Ourem Creek and Margao are expected to support this segment, along with operations at Manohar International Airport.
The state is also responding to demand for "bleisure" travel, combining business and leisure experiences, by integrating cultural, wellness and hinterland tourism into corporate itineraries.
Industry and Government Perspectives
According to Arun Srivastava, the partnership aligns with broader efforts to position India as a MICE destination by linking regional infrastructure with national initiatives.
Neeraj Dhawannoted that the collaboration is expected to support engagement with event organisers and expand opportunities for hosting business events.
Rohan A. Khaunte stated that the membership supports the state's plans to develop an ecosystem for corporate events, combining infrastructure with local tourism offerings.
Strengthening the Local MICE Ecosystem
As part of the initiative, venues in Goa will be encouraged to take up associate membership with ICPB. This is expected to help integrate local stakeholders into a wider network and support participation in national and international business events.
The membership is also expected to increase Goa Tourism 's visibility among event planners and corporate decision-makers, while supporting ongoing efforts to diversify the state's tourism economy.