By Kim Hyun-bin
Seoul has been named the “Best MICE City” for four consecutive years by the Global Traveler, a business travel magazine, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said, Monday.
MICE stands for meeting, incentives, convention and exhibition.
Seoul topped the list followed by Dubai, Singapore, London and Hong Kong, in the 15th Annual Global Traveler Tested Reader Survey Awards.
“The city infrastructure is well equipped with public transportation, IT, accommodation facilities among others. Sophisticated cultural integration of traditional and state-of-the-art technology, and friendly citizens were the key to receiving the award for consecutive years,” the city government said.
The Global Traveler conducted the survey of its readers, both online and offline, from January to August, asking the readers to select the best in variety of travel related categories, such as loyalty programs, airlines and hotels.
The main readers of the magazine are frequent business travelers, who have nine overseas trips on average a year, and those in high-income brackets with an average income of $372,000. Established in 2004 in the U.S., it issues about 105,000 copies per month.
“In the past, Seoul has been focused on quantitative growth in attracting foreign tourists but in the future we'll seek quality growth through the MICE industry, medical and smart tourism, becoming the world's best tourism destination,” said Joo Yong-tae, director of sports and tourism at the city government.