MICE Market in Bali, Why Not?

It is John M. Daniels, President Director of Bali Discovery Tours who described the potential of Bali to handle MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) market. The man who is more familiarly called Jack Daniels stated that Bali has a great opportunity in managing this market. When he was present as speaker at a round table discussion entitled “Destination Marketing Strategy of Bali Tourism” at Wantilan Hall BTDC last week, Jack signaled a very huge potential. “In managing MICE, Bali as an international tourist destination has facilities and accommodations that are enable to serve this market segment,” he said.

Facilities like star-rated hotels, international quality hospital and meeting rooms that can hold hundreds of participants are the main factors in organizing MICE. This kind of opportunity indeed should be taken advantage of maximally since in terms of its market quality it will give abundant profit to Bali. “All supporting facilities are almost scattered throughout tourist resorts in Bali, so it is not hard to market them. Unfortunately, this potential has not been maximally cultivated yet,” he said.
Having described the strategy in managing this market, Jack raised a question to participants. “What could be offered by Bali for MICE? All star-rated hotels in Bali have facilities that could hold more than 500 participants. It is mentioned some starred hotels like Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa holds 500 participants, Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa (600), Bali Cliff Resort (650), Bali Hyatt (500), InterContinental Resort Bali (750), Bali Hilton International (700), The Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort & Spa and The Patra Bali holds hundreds of meeting participants. “This condition is a demand of MICE, and all are already available in Bali,” said by Mr Daniels who achieved the Karya Karana Pariwisata Bali 2004 awards.
MICE is a quality market that spends a large amount of money. Governments should persistently lend a hand to promote MICE overseas. Though there are some obstacles, like the non-existence of a Bali Convention Bureau, and less activity of tourism practitioners to approach the market, make MICE less popular in Bali. “It’s just concerned with technical matters that could be improved,” he said.
(BTN/013)