A riot for the senses, India is one of the most varied countries on the face of the planet, and offers MICE planners a wide range of adventurous options. Whether it's an ecotourism incentive trip, a luxe board meeting or a huge conference, India has it all.
This rapidly growing economic and technological power is serviced by more than 50 international airlines, and a large number of domestic airlines make travel within the country a snap. For those with more time, India's history under British rule has left it with a truly vast rail network, and some trains are literally made to transport your group in luxury and style.
Another relic of British rule is an educated, English-speaking population that's ready to do business. Almost all of the major international hotel brands have a presence here, and a number of convention and conference centers are dotted around the country.
The important conference centers are in New Delhi, Mumbai, Agra, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Kolkata. For large exhibitions, facilities such as Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, the Nehru Centre in Mumbai and the Chennai Trade Centre in Chennai are worthy options.
Hotel brands in the country that are a good bet for meetings include the Taj Group, ITC-Welcomgroup, Oberoi, Meridien, and Marriott. For a truly "cool" lodging experience, consider a stay in one of the country's many hill stations, where the upper crust in days of yore chilled out when things got hot.
Although just a walk down the street almost anywhere in India is enough to excite the senses, the country is of course home to a number of iconic must-sees. The Taj Mahal, in Agra, is the ultimate India attraction, but the Ajanta Caves, Elephanta Caves, Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya, and the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary are just a small sampling of the UNESCO World Heritage list of sites here.
You won't have any trouble keeping your attendees well fed between meetings and sightseeing expeditions. The cuisine here is plentiful, complex, tasty, and even at the best restaurants, relatively cheap. Indian food here is of course the mainstay, but major hotels almost always have at least one or two restaurants dedicated to Western or Asian cuisine.
When it comes to adventure sports, choose between heli-skiing on snow-clad peaks, bicycle safaris though lush valleys, team-building car rallies across desert plains, or elephant treks and bird watching in thick forests. This is all in addition to the usual outdoor activities you could find anywhere else, including rock climbing, river rafting and nature walks.
India is many things, but boring is not one of them. For groups with a hankering for the great unknown, India never fails to impress.
