MICE in Nepal

It is said that a good meeting is like a good cup of cappuccino- tasty, smooth, full-bodied, simple, unpretentious, fun brings folks together at a table to discuss common interests and, hopefully, open their minds to new views, thoughts and ideas. A satisfying cup of cappuccino, however, is easier to make than a good meeting. For one, fewer ingredients are required. For another, measurements are exact, unlike producing great meetings, where you have to employ a variety of elements and still can't be sure about success until the event is over. That's why, when one comes across a meeting that works, one should celebrate it- just like a victory over a strong opponent. And, in fact, it doesn't apply only to meeting but to all other three letters of MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition). Hosting a meeting or convention is an art, not only a business matter.

Since MICE market has become very competitive, it's imperative to target particular kind of convention or seminar or meeting, which Nepal can handle without any hassle. Although some of South East Asian countries have the best facilities available in the region, Nepal can be a good destination for many reasons. Diversification of MICE package is needed to promote Nepal as prime destination. Eco tourism conference in Nagarkot or wildlife conference in Bardia or Chitwan can epitomise the theme and ambience. It is necessary to bring together the theme and ecological ambience for better result.

MICE-Nepal’s mission is to champion and deliver exceptional experiences for corporate meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions. It facilitates and co-ordinates the planning and execution of business events, collaborates with industry partners to create new experiences, products and packages for business events and attracts incentive travel groups to Nepal.

It also spearheads global marketing initiatives and develops effective sales channels in key markets to attract large incentive groups into Nepal in collaboration with industry partners. It also creates and champions the development of unique incentive products, experiences and packages.

The main objectives of MICE-Nepal are:

It provides support to organizer of MICE in the following areas:

         
The Destination 
Kathmandu, the Shangrila city of Nepal, is a novelty destination for many. Surrounded by Himalayan snow peaks and Blue Mountains, Kathmandu is the cradle of Nepalese civilization and culture. It is a living museum of ancient temples, palaces, shrines, squares and courtyards. It is also the fairy tale land of kings, queens, princes, princesses and living goddesses still worshipped today. Not a week goes by in Kathmandu without a procession, a festival or a feast. The Nepalese people, as diverse as they may be, live in harmony-perhaps fatalistic, perhaps content, but they take on the hardships of life with a smile.

Kathmandu cannot be another beach resort town nor a shopping mall city. No, but Nepal is one destination that will fire up the imagination of your delegates. Some curious, some incredulous, some a little nervous, some still ambivalent but for once, you are going to bring excitement that will turn men and women into boys and girls. We promise stories to take back home not just snap-shots. This time, let it be Nepal.

The Climate 
Nepal has a typical monsoonal two-season year. There 's the dry season from October to May and there's the wet season, the monsoon, from June to September. September-November, the start of the dry season, is in many ways the best time of year in Nepal. With the monsoon only recently finished, the countryside is green and lush. Nepal is at its most beautiful and there are
some colourful festival to enjoy.

Nepal has many fine handicrafts to offer to visitors: hand-knotted woolen carpets, jewellery, pashmina shawls, woolen knitwears, embroidery, thangka paintings, wood carvings, metal works, ceramics and pottery, rice paper and stationary. Shopping in Kathmandu can also offer you wide variety if imported merchandise in quality and price. The Super Market, New Road and numerous department stores offer fine collection of imported products. On the other hand, Thamel treks shops have the best bargain when it comes to outdoor clothing and gear. A pair of Nikes or a jar of Givenchy in Kathmandu is probably one of the world's best bargain. And you thought Singapore was the place to shop. Not always. Not even Dubai Duty Free Shop.

The Nightlife 
Wining and dining is a serious sport in Kathmandu. Kathmandu harbours more than a thousand pubs and restaurants - from cultural nites at five-star hotels to down-to-earth trekkers joints. Tuborg to the local rice-beer. Bloody Mary to High Altitude Punch. Kathmandu offers one of the most extensive menus of cuisines in Asia. Mexican tacos to Japanese teriyaki. And yes, there is life after the last call at the bar or the finger bowl at the Dance Restaurants. Take your "luck" to the discotheques or the casinos at the five-star hotels.

The Post-Convention Adventure 
Files, brief-cases, name-cards, resolutions, reports-after all that, there are more than one way to cool the mind in Nepal. Kathmandu Valley itself has a lot to offer: sight seeing, festivals, mountain flights and hill resorts, Pokhara Valley, 20 minutes flight away, is a lake resort town with excellent mountain views. For the adventurous, Chitwan National Park, 15 minutes flight away, offer jungle life on canoes or elephant backs. There is plenty of opportunity for a trek into the mountains or white water rafting in the wild rivers or mountain-biking in the wilderness. If you've got the time we've got the tricks!

The On-line Carriers 
Nepal has air access to 20 major international cities serviced by 15 online carriers. Nepal presently has 18 direct flights per week from Europe, 15 direct flights per week from the Middle East, 24 direct flights per week from the Far East and 53 direct flights per week from South Asia.

The Venues 
Kathmandu offers a wide choice of conference centers. In case, the conference facilities at the five star hotels are not adequate, there are a few alternatives. The newly built International; Convention Center of Nepal is the state-of-the-art venue for conferences and conventions with sophisticated audio, video, lighting, communications, catering, ventilation and parking facilities. It has seven meeting areas of which the largest auditorium has a capacity of 1046 persons. Other venues include the Royal Nepal Academy a capacity for 1250 persons, Rastriya Sabha Griha (676 persons), the Russian Cultural Center (200persons) and the Bhrikuti Mandap Exhibition Hall with total area 35,000 sq. ft. The problem is not going to be space. The problem is how you are going keep your delegates away from Kathmandu and inside at the conference.

The Hotels 
Kathmandu has a wide variety of international class hotels to suit everyone's fancies and finances, Kathmandu's five-star hotels are Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Hotel Yak & Yeti, Hotel Everest, Hotel Hyatt Regency, Hotel Radisson and Hotel del Annapurna. The five-star and four star hotels alone can offer about 2,000 rooms. The combined total number of rooms in the star category of hotels is about 4,000 rooms. Hotel is one of the biggest advantages Kathmandu can offer your delegates. International class, yet more competitive than any cosmopolitan city!