The soon-to-open Ayana Convention Centre, said to give Bali its very first MICE venue with indoor-to-outdoor spaces that enjoy sunset views. Photo Credit: Ayana Resort Bali
The new competitive edge to Asia’s MICE sector lies in combining business events with rich – and enriching – leisure components, as corporate policies and demand evolve to place a larger emphasis on destinations with wellness components.
Beyond ballrooms and breakout sessions, successful events today are measured not just by participating numbers, but how delegates leave feeling the trip was well worth the journey.
Whether it’s exclusivity, experiential journeys or sustainability, here are two destination examples adapting to deliver both engagement and ROI.
Ayana Bali: Home to a new integrated MICE powerhouse
While Bali has long been synonymous with incentives, weddings and retreats, Ayana Resort Bali is positioning itself to set a new MICE standard in the destination with the opening of Ayana Convention Centre in September 2026.
Ushering in a new era of self-sufficient MICE destinations, the new convention centre is built within a mixed-use, fully-integrated resort in Jimbaran that combines four hotel brands – Ayana Villas, Segara, Resort and Rimba – with residential, dining and wellness facilities, functioning as a complete, interconnected lifestyle destination.
The Ayana Convention Centre spans 2,000 sqm and features two grand ballrooms, 16 meeting rooms, six lawns and courtyards, and two ocean-view terraces and rooftops.
Bali’s only beachfront MICE venue with spaces for indoor-outdoor sunset views, Ayana Convention Centre is designed to accommodate events of up to 3,000 participants.
“As business travellers increasingly prioritise local discovery over traditional boardrooms, our venue is reinventing the meeting space,” said Cynthia Sitompul, assistant director of MICE, speaking at The Meetings Show Asia Pacific 2026.
Taking advantage of the resort’s clifftop setting in Jimbaran, some rooms are designed with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Indian Ocean. Bi-fold doors transform meeting spaces into versatile, open-air venues. Lawn terraces provide unique vantage points for taking in Jimbaran’s famous sunset, perfect for networking.
The venue’s flexibility can cater to everything from large-scale congresses to intimate board meetings, product launches and exclusive incentive trips.
There is a hop-on/hop-off tram to bring delegates from the venue back to their accommodation, with stops along the way to explore the restaurants, wellness centre and spa.
“Guests rarely need to leave the property,” noted Cynthia. “With over 30 dining venues, along with our SAKA Museum and world-class Ayana Spa, planners can build complete itineraries with our integrated destination.”
Located just 12km from Ngurah Rai International Airport, the venue is accessible within 35 minutes. Upon completion in Q3 2026, Ayana Convention Centre will appeal to planners looking for self-contained environments that combine business, leisure and destination immersion.
Jeju: An island of immersion and impact
With rising demand for blended business and leisure experiences, Jeju’s sustainability, local culture and destination storytelling often become part of business event programming. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/ChangduckStriking volcanic tubes, legendary haenyeos (female free divers), hikes along the Jeju Olle Trail and a UNESCO World Heritage status set Jeju apart as a bleisure destination.
“Travel today is about identity. People want experiences that reflect who they are and what they value,” shared Jeongeun You, manager of Jeju Tourism Organization, speaking at the recent TMS APAC 2026 in Singapore.
“Jeju is encouraging planners to see attendees as active participants rather than passive consumers. In Jeju, sustainability, local culture and destination storytelling become part of the business event itself.”
Programmes are increasingly designed to meet the rising demand for blended business and leisure experiences. Farm visits paired with cooking classes that use locally-sourced produce or guided walks along the Jeju Olle Trail are no longer seen as indulgent, but as strategic engagement tools and overall attendee satisfaction.
Venue operators are also adapting. At the JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa, the island’s iconic haenyeo heritage can be experienced through curated cultural sessions and dining experiences. Groups can also take part in hands-on activities such as traditional doenjang (soybean paste) fermentation or guided walks along Olle Trail Route 7, which runs alongside the resort, to connect delegates with the destination.