Bali: The Land of MICE Opportunities

Bali is amongst a handful of destinations in the world which are a perfect blend of scenic landscapes, unique cultural experiences, comfortable climate conditions and world-class MICE facilities. While this island destination is exceptionally popular amongst travelers around the world, Bali also offers myriad opportunities for MICE planners and wonderfully combines business with pleasure. Excellent range of meeting facilities, swanky hotels, tempting gastronomy and vibrant nightlife are just some of the reasons that inspire planners to organize events in Bali. Continue reading this blog to find out what makes Bali a perfect location for a convention, meeting, exhibition or incentive holiday.

Amazing Accessibility

Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS): Commonly known as Denpasar International Airport, it is the third-busiest international airport in Indonesia. A hub for major Indonesian airlines, the Ngurah Rai International Airport provides access to most part of the world. The airport offers Visa On Arrival facility, as Indonesian Government grants visa upon arrival to 52 countries, including Canada, Germany, South Africa, UAE, UK and USA. The government also offers the 30-day Visa-Free facility to another 11 countries, including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Morocco. Transportation Network: Bali boasts of a well-connected public transportation system. Bemos (a type of minibus, or small vans) and local shuttle buses are safe and convenient option to roam in and around the city. The blue colored Bali Taxis are quite popular in the Kuta and Seminyak region. If you own an international or Indonesian driving license, you can also rent a car at negotiable prices.

Hotels and MICE Locations

The state-of-the-art-facilities combined with the integral charm of Bali is a sure-shot formula that works for most MICE planners organizing events in Bali. A collection of luxury-brand chain hotels, international conference centers, swanky boutique hotels, and unique independent meeting facilities together form the keystone of MICE activities and events in Bali. The AOR (Average Occupancy Rate) of Bali hotels in 2017 was approx. 68%*, which already exceeded the figures of past few years. This number is expected to inflate further in 2018 with AOR reaching 70-72%*. To keep up with the increasing footfall of the visitors and meeting planners, Bali is planning to add another 2,216 rooms** in 2018.

MICE Demand

Having endless possibilities as a MICE destination, Bali has now become a preferred name in the region for global and regional events. The Colliers Quarterly Q2 2017 Bali Hotel report states that the hotel occupancy rate in the second quarter of 2017 exceeded 65%. This happened because of increasing inbound travelers and a number of MICE activities organized in the city. Over the years, Bali has successfully hosted increasing number of international conferences, including the APEC Summit of world leaders, and the Miss World Pageant in 2013. The Annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group is the next biggest event in Bali, scheduled for October 2018.

Outlook

The perfect concoction of balmy atmosphere and convenient facilities makes Bali a dominant player in the international MICE market. The Indonesian government is taking rigorous steps in further improving Bali as a MICE destination and helping it to keep up with the global industry trends. Check out our next blog in this series to know how Bali’s MICE market will look like in the upcoming few years!   Source: *Colliers Quarterly Q4 2017 Bali Hotel Report **JLL Hotel Destinations Asia Pacific Report – May 2017