Seoul City Provides 2.7 Billion KRW Support for MICE Industry Recovery... Support Plan Established

Promoting Market Recovery Through In-Person Events, Support for Six Sectors Including International Conferences
Providing 'Seoul Experience Tourism' for Events with Over 50 Foreign Participants Arriving from Abroad

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Tourism Foundation announced on the 15th their support plan for the MICE industry, stating that with signs of recovery in the MICE industry in the endemic era, timely support measures will be implemented to aid the industry's recovery. This support plan responds to the shift in MICE industry trends experienced during COVID-19, focusing on ▲safety ▲utilization of digital technology ▲hosting sustainable events.

Seoul will implement support measures including ▲support for face-to-face or hybrid (online and offline) international conferences ▲selection and support of 34 exhibitions across five growth stages ▲'Seoul Safe MICE' quarantine support for safe face-to-face events ▲'Safe Recovery Special Support' to enhance satisfaction of foreign participants ▲free support for the 3D virtual conference platform Virtual Seoul ▲and support for the Future Seoul MICE Contest.

First, up to 200 million KRW will be provided for international conferences with more than 20% on-site participants, and the support funds can be used for advanced technology usage fees and other expenses. This year, costs for international conference planners (PCOs) will be added to promote mutual growth in the struggling industry. Additionally, support funds for the international conference attraction stage will be increased from a maximum of 30 million KRW to 60 million KRW to encourage more international conference hosting.

For international exhibitions, 34 exhibitions will be selected and supported with up to 80 million KRW. Selected exhibitions will receive focused consulting on innovative exhibition hosting methods such as online marketing and IT technology utilization, and live commerce operations during the exhibition period will also be supported. To prioritize 'safety' in MICE event hosting, professional sterilization and quarantine services, quarantine gates, and quarantine supplies will be provided at event venues.

As a special safe recovery support to enhance satisfaction for foreign participants visiting Seoul for the first time since COVID-19, when a meeting with more than 50 foreign participants is held on-site, Seoul experience tourism programs and Seoul VR experience booths will be supported, and Seoul Safe Care services such as PCR guidance will be operated. Furthermore, as hybrid events utilizing advanced technology both online and offline are expected to continue post-COVID-19, free use of the 3D virtual conference platform Virtual Seoul will be provided, with additional usage fees such as broadcasting fees supported up to 6 million KRW.

Meanwhile, the Future Seoul MICE Contest will be held to prepare for the future MICE market. The contest fields are Meeting Technology and Unique Venue, where innovative projects or events proposed by Seoul-based tourism and MICE-related organizations will be supported with up to 50 million KRW each, totaling 400 million KRW, along with promotion and consulting services.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.