MICE v době (po)koronavirové: Přechodný stav nebo trvalá redefinice oboru?

Abstract

This article aims to describe and analyze the situation in the MICE part of the tourist business. MICE is struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic leaving many suppliers and parts of the industry on the verge of survival. MICE is a complex ecosystem that was able to generate significant economic benefits to business destinations before 2020. For instance Prague, one of the top 10 world most popular congress destinations in 2019, experienced an enormous decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to year 2019, 78.9% fewer congresses, conferences and other MICE events took place in the Czech capital city (Muška, 2021). The industry is trying to restart itself, but it is necessary to define the possibilities of implementing large-scale mass business events, new hygienic rules and conditions, legal description of the situation and support at the governmental as well as supranational level. The description of the current state and the reflection of the measures taken so far and the possibilities of implementing actions during the pandemic will answer the question of whether it is possible to return to MICE in pre-coronavirus state or if it is necessary to redefine the industry as such.