Optimism for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) remains high going into next year. Offering both the wow factor and first-class MICE infrastructure, these cities are just five of the best event destinations to consider for 2025.
Singapore
Renowned for its cleanliness, safety and tropical climate, there’s much more to Singapore (pictured above). It offers a range of thrilling activities, fantastic shopping and a vibrant mix of cultures.
Best time of year to visit: The city state is a year-round destination with warm weather. Yet humidity levels and rainfall are lower between June and August.
Getting there: Average flight time from London – 13 hours.
Fastest way to city centre from Changi airport: Taxi takes around 20-25 minutes.
Hotel snapshot: Iconic properties range from the elegant Raffles Hotel, which opened in 1887, to the contemporary Marina Bay Sands, which boasts the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool. And the new luxury hotels keep coming. The Singapore Edition and Artyzen opened within the last year. The Standard opens at the end of this year and, in 2025, Raffles Sentosa Singapore will start to welcome guests.
Activities groups will love: A theatrical bicycle tour – Trails of Tan Ah Huat – guides groups through the contemporary city while sharing stories of 1920s Singapore; a sustainability experience at the Edible Garden City; a sunset cruise around Singapore’s southern islands; or an after-hour tours of horticultural park Gardens by The Bay.
Banff, Canada
Sensational landscapes meet lifestyle resorts in Banff, in the state of Alberta, part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks. Choose from chateau-style to lodge-style hotels to retreat to after experiencing the exciting outdoor adventure on offer.
Best time of year to visit: Unless your group is looking for winter activities, May, June and September are good times to visit. The weather is warmer yet there are fewer crowds.
Getting there: Average flight time from London – 9 hours to Calgary, the nearest airport, which is just under 70 miles from Banff.
Fastest way to city centre from airport: Take the Calgary to Banff shuttle, which takes around 90 minutes.
Hotel snapshot: A landmark building in Banff is the Fairmont Banff Springs. This luxurious four-star property has been welcoming guests since 1888. A year-round mountain resort, it also offers a 27-hole championship golf course in the summer months. For mountain-lodge-style accommodation, check out the Moose Hotel & Suites, one of the newest properties in the area. The 174-room hotel also offers a spacious spa with outdoor rooftop hot pools overlooking the stunning Rocky Mountain scenery.
Activities groups will love: Outdoor adventure obviously dominates this part of the world. Incentive groups can canoe, kayak or paddle board on Lake Louise or take a guided cruise around Lake Minnewanka in the summer months. During winter, as well as the ubiquitous skiing and snowboarding on offer, why not arrange a sleigh ride or dog-sledding, hit the snow in a snowmobile, or ice skate on the frozen Lake Louise.
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal’s capital was voted as the best MICE destination in Europe by the World MICE Awards this year. And it looks set to continue living up to that accolade in 2025. It’s easy to see why as Lisbon offers diverse cultural activities, good transport access, contemporary infrastructure and picturesque streets.
Best time of year to visit: The weather is usually warm from March to May or September to October when there are less crowds than the summer months.
Getting there: Average flight time from London – 2 hours, 20 minutes.
Fastest way to city centre from Lisbon airport: Take the direct Metro line at Lisbon Airport straight to the city centre in around 20 minutes.
Hotel snapshot: The city offers a range of hotels across all categories. But for five-star luxury, check out the 87-room Bairro Alto Hotel, housed in an 18th-century building in the heart of one of the city’s stylish cultural quarters. Elsewhere, the elegant 285-room Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa is regarded as the ‘Grande Dame’ of hotels in Lisbon. The city will also see some new luxury hotels in 2025. Both the Six Senses Lisbon and the first Nobu hotel in Portugal are set to open.
Activities groups will love: The city is lovely to stroll around or you could explore the beautiful cobblestoned, tiled neighbourhoods and historic monuments by Tuk Tuk or GoCar. Or see the sights from a different perspective and head out to the water on a speedboat. And you can’t go to the Portuguese capital without sampling the local egg tart delicacy, pastel de nata. In fact, groups can learn to make their own.
Sydney, Australia
“Sydney really holds its own as a MICE destination, particularly for a global event. It’s so well connected,” Reed & Mackay Head of Event Travel Scott Blondel says. “Yes, it’s a long way from many places, but it’s absolutely worth the journey.”
Best time of year to visit: Milder temperatures fall between Australia’s spring in September and November. Or visit during its autumn, between March and May.
Getting there: Average flight time from London – 23 hours.
Fastest way to city centre from Sydney airport: The Airport Link train takes 13 minutes to reach Sydney’s Central station.
Hotel snapshot: Guests can enjoy panoramic views of Sydney Harbour and Sydney Opera House at both the 509-room Intercontinental Sydney – which also offers 14 meeting spaces of varying sizes – and the 155-room Park Hyatt with its five meeting space options. Away from the harbourside, 2025 will see the opening of a 109-room 25Hours Hotel in the city’s lively, upmarket Paddington neighbourhood. Plus the Moxy Sydney Pitt Street is earmarked to open in the summer of next year in the central business district, which is set to feature the city’s highest rooftop bar.
Activities groups will love: “Sydney offers a powerful mix. The city vibe, the harbour, beautiful beaches close by. And, in just 30 minutes you’re in the countryside of the Blue Mountains,” Blondel adds. Plus there’s a real mix of activities. Take a bush tucker tour through the Botanic Gardens to learn more about indigenous bush foods. For the adrenaline seekers, hop on the back of a Harley Davidson for a tour across the city and out to the beautiful bays and Bondi Beach. And, for those must-see city views from a different angle, climb the legendary Sydney Harbour Bridge or enjoy a bird’s eye view onboard a Sydney seaplane tour.
Reykjavik, Iceland
A vibrant city, stunning surrounding countryside plus an inspiring mix of local history, cuisine, nightlife and shopping. “Reykjavik is an unusual destination, with untouched tourism and can offer an amazing event experience,” Reed & Mackay Events Housing Specialist Andrea Holt says.
Best time of year to visit: June to August is the best time for warmer weather and long hours of daylight. However, the winter months set the scene perfectly for winter activities.
Getting there: Average flight time from London – just over three hours.
Fastest way to city centre from Reykjavik airport: It takes around 45 minutes via bus or taxi.
Hotel snapshot: At the luxury end of the scale, the Reykjavik EDITION sits in the historical heart the city. Next to the city’s parliament is the Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection By Hilton. At the more economy end, Ibis Styles is opening a property in the city in 2025. Additionally, Hilton will be announcing more about a hotel opening in the city later next year.
Activities groups will love: The city is a nature-lovers’ paradise. No trip to Reykjavik is complete without a visit to its geothermal pools; there are 18 to choose from in the city. Enjoy horse riding on the unique Icelandic horse; book a whale-watching trip in Faxaflói Bay and, in the winter months, it’s a wonderful place to experience the Northern Lights. However, if your group prefers indoor activities, there are a range of interesting options. Visit Iceland’s first whisky distillery, the Eimverk Distillery. Alternatively, discover the country’s glaciers and fjords without leaving the city at the exhilarating FlyOver Iceland.
Get in touch
Mail hello@reedandmackay.com to discuss all of your corporate travel and event management needs.
