HCM City-based travel agencies have reported a downturn in MICE (meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition) tourism in 2012.

The Sai Gon Exhibition and Convention Centre in HCM City's District 7 has received few bookings compared with last year.

Vietravel has received a small number of MICE tourists this year, while the size of delegations has fallen from 150-200 to 60-80 guests, mostly from Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.

"While the travel sector is running smoothly, the MICE sector has declined sharply due to the economic crisis," the CEO of Vietravel, Nguyen Quoc Ky, said.

Saigontourist Travel Services Co is one travel agency, however, to report steady growth in MICE tourism this year. — VNS