Conference tourism a money-spinner for the capital

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourists spend three times as much money as regular tourists, according to Tórshavn’s mayor Annika Olsen.

Recognising the financial potential of this type of tourism, the City Council is planning to bring far more MICE tourists to the city over the coming years.

“The financial gains are only part of the benefits,” says Olsen. “With MICE tourism, information stays in the city, and it does very little harm to the environment.”

The initiative to increase the focus on MICE came last year after the Nordic House in Tórshavn hosted a highly successful medical conference featuring some 350 international medical experts.

“Our service industry experienced a great boost during this event. We know that these people spend a lot of money, so we need to host more events like this.”

The City Council has teamed up with Visit Faroe Islands and Visit Tórshavn in an effort to bring more MICE events to the city. The team recently visited a large MICE tourism conference in Dubai where they met with MICE industry leaders and learned about the role of politicians in the development of MICE tourism.

Translated by prosa.fo