MICE in Menorca: reality or dream?

Did you know what MICE means?

The acronym MICE stands for "Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions" (or sometimes "Events") . It refers to a sector of the tourism, communications, and events industry that specializes in organizing large-scale events, business meetings, and incentives as part of motivation, loyalty, and belonging strategies across the company's entire value chain.

In a few words:

• Meetings : These are planned professional gatherings of groups of people, business seminars or executive committee meetings, to discuss specific topics, make decisions, think outside the box, bring teams together and exchange information.

• Incentives : These are trips or events offered by companies to their employees, partners or clients to reward them for their performance, thank them for their loyalty, and motivate them by strengthening human and professional relationships.

• Conferences : These are formal events where experts, either internal or external to the company, come together to discuss specific topics in their field, often accompanied by presentations, discussions and workshops.

• Exhibitions / Events: These are events where companies present their products or services to a target audience, often in a trade show or exhibition environment, in both traditional and unusual locations.

The MICE sector is crucial for its entire ecosystem because it promotes professional and commercial exchanges, national and international, in person and sometimes digitally, to generate a virtuous relational dynamic.

Why Mice in Menorca:

Menorca, nestled in the Balearic archipelago, is gradually revealing itself to the Mice market. Its initial reluctance is in contrast to its sister islands Majorca and Ibiza, which have established themselves as Mice destinations for many years, particularly in the French market, with a trend towards mass tourism now.

As we noted: " Mice requests in Menorca are accelerating because the island, its values and its assets are increasingly in line with the briefs and travel strategies of our corporate and agency clients." Menorca Island Dmc Agency .

1 - Accessibility:

Menorca Airport (Mahón): Although the island is relatively small, it is well served by international flights, especially during the peak tourist season.

Proximity to Continental Europe: Menorca is easily accessible from major European cities, with many cities offering year-round direct flights with over 28 airlines operating.

2 - Seasonality:

Although Menorca can be explored all year round, the most popular season is still from April to October.

Economic actors, both public and private, are working towards controlled seasonal adjustment, starting from March to November, with agreements with airlines and Minorcan infrastructure.

3 - Infrastructure:

Hotels and event venues: Menorca has many hotels of different types and categories: more than 30 agrotourisms – 58 hotels from 4 **** to 5 ***** luxury – 60 inland hotels and even 2 campsites, not to mention the many villas, fincas and private properties that can accommodate individual clients and companies.

Modern convention and conference centers, meeting rooms, historic and unusual venues equipped to host professional events of all sizes are available throughout the island.

Technology: Conference and event facilities are often equipped with the latest technology to meet the needs of presentations, meetings and communication activities.

4 - Natural setting

It is unique, timeless, emotional.

• Biosphere Reserve

It was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993, due to its wide variety of natural habitats. Menorca knows that the secret to thriving and living in harmony is none other than the care and preservation of its environment.

• Marine Reserve

The sea is undoubtedly one of the main elements that has shaped Menorca. For thousands of years, its waves have sculpted cliffs, sharpened reefs, dug caves, battered and shaped the coastline to give rise to superb coves, magnificent coves, but also pebble and fine sand beaches with turquoise waters.

• Albufera des Grau Natural Park

The most protected natural area on the island, the epicenter of the biosphere reserve, the Albufera des Grau Natural Park covers approximately 5,100 hectares and illustrates all the natural habitats that Menorca is home to: dunes, coastal islets, ponds, agricultural and livestock land, wild olive forests, etc.

• Destination stars

Menorca has been internationally recognized as an exceptional and privileged destination for the excellent quality and protection of its night sky and, therefore, for the contemplation and observation of its stars. In addition to this certification, Menorca is now positioned as a “Starlight Reserve”.

• Talayotic Destination

Menorca is a unique island which surprises with the extraordinary richness of its archaeological heritage. The fascinating Talayotic culture of the island is felt through the villages of Torre d'en Galmés, Son Catlar, Talatí de Dalt and Naveta des Tudons. Menorca Talayotic is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in September 2023.

5 - Historical and cultural atmospheres

Menorca is much more than meets the eye. Cosmopolitan, with a unique historical legacy, its strong personality permeates all its cultural manifestations. A constant source of artistic inspiration, the island's cultural heritage can be enjoyed year-round.

Experiencing culture in Menorca means letting yourself be carried away by your senses, being impressed by its majestic architecture, delighting in listening to an opera, surrendering to the rhythm of the music at concerts and festivals, feeling the thrill of the curtain going up at the theatre, marvelling at a work of art in the many art galleries.

Menorca has been a coveted island throughout history. Take a journey through time, visiting sites such as the Fortress of Isabel II - La Mola, the Castle of Sant Felip and Fort Marlborough. These defensive structures will allow you to relive the most exciting war exploits in Menorca's history, as well as the King's Island and Lazareto Island... in the heart of the port of Mahon, the second largest natural harbor in the world after Pearl Harbor.

6 - Teambuilding / Teamspirit Activities and Experiences

Bringing special moments to life in a different way, ones that have an impact, by offering moments in teams of 10 to 150 participants, is possible, it switches and it takes preparation:

• Mountain biking on the Cami de Cavalls or the island's interior trails

• Paddle surfing, wind foiling on all the spots surrounding the coasts of Menorca

• Sea trip in Llaut (traditional boat) – catamaran and speedboat

• Private riding on Minorcan or Spanish horses

• Kayak immersion to navigate as close as possible to the coast on translucent waters

• 18-hole golf course for those who love to disconnect

• Artistic creation around the creation of local cocktails – ceramics and others

• Yoga Sessions – Meditation and Relaxation facing the sea from cliffs and other golden sandy beaches

• Scuba Diving & Snorkeling in Surprising Places

• Guided and private stroll through the heart of the citadel and fortress

• 4x4 and even vintage car outings for a glimpse of the essentials of Menorcan interiors

• Immersive challenge at the citadel and scripted Escape-time

• Paragliding from Monte Toro, the highest point on the island

• Meetings with experts in ornithology, biosphere, tales and legends...

• A real padel spot in Menorca with Gemma Triay as ambassador

• Sailing, a love story with Menorca

• Hike through Cami Cavalls to access magical viewpoints

• Raising awareness of natural ecosystem protection through participatory actions

• Visit to the farm/production and tasting of olive oil, local gin, AOC cheese and crafts

• … Surprises …

7 - Gastronomy:

Menorca is a place of gastronomy in capital letters. The proliferation of haute cuisine names on the island, as well as the combination of fresh, seasonal, and local produce, already essential in many cuisines, has made Menorca a gastronomic destination.

Declared a European gastronomic region in 2022, thanks in particular to the young chef Pau Sintes, who has won European awards, Menorca is one of the most avant-garde places on the culinary scene. Not to mention the roots that characterize Menorcan cuisine, organized around various 0Km products, which come from the countryside and the sea, providing magical taste moments, often in disconnected places.

8 - Climate:

Mediterranean climate: Hot, dry summers and mild winters, making it possible to organize trips and events “almost” year-round.

This climate adapts to all the objectives and expectations of travelers, both private and corporate.

Who are we ?

We are the incoming agency Menorca Island Dmc.

As a destination expert for the Mice market with clear connections to the entire Menorcan ecosystem, we place creativity, attention to detail, organization, and humility as fundamentals in the orchestration of trips, seminars, and corporate and private events in Menorca, and only in Menorca. We have the keys to creating moments that inspire lastingly.

So, Mice in Menorca, dream or reality?

The dream was to imagine that Menorca would remain a Robinson Crusoe land for life... possible to imagine it, to project oneself there, but really difficult to achieve.

Mice in Menorca has become a reality, and it's been accelerating for the past three years. Until now, Menorca was a truly secret destination, but this desire for confidentiality is meeting economic ambitions. The doors are opening, it's true, but always in a relevant way... Menorca and the Menorcans are watching.

• Menorca is and will remain different

• Menorca is not for everyone

• Menorca is proud of its historical heritage

• Minorca transmits its realistic desire for preservation

"We notice it year after year, Mice requests are pouring in, sometimes automatically, by trends or a search for difference. We are, as we explain to our partners the Menorca Tourism Foundation and the Island Council, a sort of catalyst for projects, to validate what is possible or not, and to make the experience in Menorca a real emotional return." explain Clotilde Auphan and David James, the two co-founders of the incoming agency Menorca Island.

What Mice is possible and already done in Menorca?

The Menorca destination offers a multitude of possibilities for organizing successful “ MICE moments ” thanks to its soul, its adapted infrastructures, its magnificent landscapes, and its diverse experiences.

Here are some achievements:

• Incentive travel for clients or employees

• Steering Committee Seminar

• Solidarity Commitment Trip

• Company anniversary

• Thematic conference

• Learning expedition

• Travel, meetings and best practices

• VIP Reward Weekend

• Coaching and training session

• Initiatory journey

• Sustainable and responsible approach

• Startup speed pitch meeting

• Exhibition and auction

• Event for product launch

• …

“Because 95% of the participants in our trips and events have discovered Menorca for the first time, suggesting Menorca means placing difference at the heart of all your Mice projects ,” confirms Team Menorca Island.

Hasta pronto en Menorca :)