Major meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) venues across the region have rolled out mega-productions as a way to draw visitors. The latest addition is Disney's world-acclaimed musical The Lion King at Singapore's Marina Bay Sands, which opened last month. It joined the ranks of Cirque du Soleil's Zaia at The Venetian and The House of Dancing Water at the City of Dreams, both in Macau. While the shows target families and tourists, they are expected to have special appeal to MICE delegates who always look for something different for the evening.

The mainland's MICE industry has entered a new phase following the successful hosting of the Shanghai World Expo last year. We interview the head of the MICE department at China's biggest travel agency for his views on the present and the future state of the industry.

Without doubt, the MICE market has bounced back as the economy recovers, a view shared by nearly all hotels interviewed for the City Focus section. Despite the growth, there are some emerging trends, such as shorter booking lead times and customers focusing more on value, from services to dining. The hotels are busy tailoring their services to meet customers' demands.