Union Tourism Ministry to Launch City-Level Convention Promotion Bureaus in 2026, Boosting India’s Exhibition & MICE Industry

The Union Ministry of Tourism has announced plans to establish independent, city-level Convention Promotion Bureaus from 2026, a move expected to significantly strengthen India’s Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) ecosystem and provide a major boost to the country’s exhibition industry.

The initiative, supported by digital innovation and advanced technologies including Artificial Intelligence, aims to position India as a future-ready global events destination. The Ministry has outlined an ambitious roadmap to double India’s share of the global MICE market within the next five years, creating new opportunities for exhibition organisers, venue operators, service providers, and allied industry stakeholders.

The proposed City MICE Bureaus, to be developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders under autonomous and professionally managed frameworks, will act as single-window facilitation platforms for global conventions, exhibitions, and large-scale business events.

“This is a long-awaited structural reform for the exhibition and convention sector. City-level bureaus will bring clarity, speed, and global alignment to how Indian destinations bid for and host international events,” said an industry expert.

For the exhibition industry, these bureaus are expected to streamline bid processes, improve International outreach, and enhance destination readiness for hosting mega exhibitions and conventions. A stronger focus on coordinated city branding, infrastructure mapping, and policy facilitation is also expected to improve India’s competitiveness as a global exhibition hub.

“Professionally run, Public-Private Partnership-led MICE bureaus can transform Indian cities into serious contenders against established global exhibition destinations in Asia and Europe,” the expert added. “This initiative has the potential to unlock sustained growth for organisers, venues, and the entire exhibition supply chain.”