--- title: The difference between business tourism and meeting tourism description: Though often used as synonyms, these two terms actually describe different phenomena. Keep reading to discover the elements that define each one. image: https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/hubfs/CDS%20-%20blog%20post%20232%20a-2.jpg --- [DE | ](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/de) [FR | ](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/fr) [EN | ](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/en) [ES | ](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/es) Blog:  [> Back to visitcostadelsol.com | ](https://www.visitcostadelsol.com/) [![fondo_logo.png](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-files/fondo_logo.png?width=567&height=125&name=fondo_logo.png "fondo_logo.png")](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/es) - [Activities](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/en/topic/adventure-activities) - [Culture](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/en/topic/culture) - [Holidays](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/en/topic/holidays) - [Gastronomy](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/en/topic/gastronomy) - [Experiences](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/en/topic/experiences) - [Golf](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/en/topic/golf) - [Professional](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/en/topic/professional) # The difference between business tourism and meeting tourism ![](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/hubfs/CDS%20-%20blog%20post%20232%20a-2.jpg) Though often used as synonyms, technically speaking there is a **big difference between business tourism and meeting tourism**. While it is true that both terms have common elements, it’s a good idea to know the precise definition of each. Keep reading to find out more.  ## **What is business tourism?** Business travel or **business tourism is an umbrella term that refers to the sector as a whole**. **Within** business tourism, there is a **subset of different categories of travel and types of traveller**, all of which relate to the world of business. Corporate interests spark business travel and there are a number of different segments within it, including meeting tourism. ![meeting tourism](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CDS%20-%20blog%20post%20232%20b.jpg?width=730&name=CDS%20-%20blog%20post%20232%20b.jpg)   ## **What is meeting tourism?** Meeting tourism, on the other hand, is a category of business tourism in which travellers - normally C-level executives - visit other destinations to meet up with other business professionals. Meeting tourism is also known as **MICE tourism**, an acronym standing for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions. The World Tourism Organization has defined **five sub-categories that fall under the heading of meeting tourism**, namely:  - **Business or group meetings**: these trips are normally sponsored by a company with attendees belonging to said company, or connected to it (clients, providers, members, etc.). **- Congresses:** large-scale meetings in which groups of people come together to discuss or exchange points of view about one particular topic.   - **Exhibitions:** commercial or cultural events that bring together people working in a particular sector, such as to push products and services, as well as boost public relations and sales.  **-** [Incentive trips](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/en/incentive-trip-costa-del-sol-6-tips-help-you-plan)**:** organised by the company, these trips are designed to recognise the hard-work and commitment of employees when they have reached a business goal. **- Other meetings:** covers all other types of meetings involving under 10 people in one location.  ![difference between business tourism and meeting tourism](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CDS%20-%20blog%20post%20232%20c.jpg?width=730&name=CDS%20-%20blog%20post%20232%20c.jpg)   ## **The boom of bleisure tourism ** In any case, the **difference between business tourism and meeting tourism** is slight and there are more similarities than differences between the terms. It is, however, important to note that tourists travelling for business (whatever its precise incarnation) are often considered **‘quality travellers’**. Over recent years, what is known as [bleisure tourism](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/en/bleisure) (combining business and leisure) is continuing to gain ground. The tourism industry has recognised the importance of this group and bleisure travellers are starting to plan corporate events in [pioneering destinations for the MICE sector](https://www.visitcostadelsol.com/convention-bureau/?_ga=2.16800766.615054830.1618813357-1250249413.1599472069), such as the [Costa del Sol](https://www.visitcostadelsol.com/?_ga=2.36057191.615054830.1618813357-1250249413.1599472069).   [![Nueva llamada a la acción](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1995901/075ab11c-6bc4-47b6-b7ec-209d5cec6137.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1995901/075ab11c-6bc4-47b6-b7ec-209d5cec6137) 21 April 2021 [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.visitacostadelsol.com%2Fen%2Fdifference-business-tourism-and-meeting-tourism%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.visitacostadelsol.com%2Fen%2Fdifference-business-tourism-and-meeting-tourism%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.visitacostadelsol.com%2Fen%2Fdifference-business-tourism-and-meeting-tourism%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=The%20difference%20between%20business%20tourism%20and%20meeting%20tourism) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Échale%20un%20vistazo%20a%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.visitacostadelsol.com%2Fen%2Fdifference-business-tourism-and-meeting-tourism%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Échale%20un%20vistazo%20a%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.visitacostadelsol.com%2Fen%2Fdifference-business-tourism-and-meeting-tourism%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ## Search in our blog This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ## All about the Costa del Sol in your inbox Submit your email address and receive exclusive information and great offers about the Costa del Sol. ### Categories - [mice](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/en/topic/mice) [![Nueva llamada a la acción](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1995901/580fd1de-87fe-45ea-aa93-7c8dbccbc9f6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1995901/580fd1de-87fe-45ea-aa93-7c8dbccbc9f6) ## Related posts - [Español](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/es/diferencia-turismo-negocios-turismo-reuniones) - Inglés - [Alemán](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/de/unterschied-geschaeftsreisen-und-konferenzreisen) - [Francés](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/fr/différence-tourisme-affaires-tourisme-reunions) - [Noruego Blog](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/nor) - [Sueco Blog](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/se) - [Danés Blog](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/dk) - [Finlandés Blog](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/fin) - [Ruso Blog](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/ru) - [Chino Blog](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/ch) ![costa_del_sol_logo_color](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/hubfs/costa_del_sol_logo_color.png "costa_del_sol_logo_color") ### Follow us on social media [![](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/hs-fs/hubfs/landing-assets/ih%20Madrid/facebook@2x.png?width=32&name=facebook@2x.png)](https://www.facebook.com/feelcostadelsol) [![](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/hs-fs/hubfs/landing-assets/ih%20Madrid/instagram@2x.png?width=32&name=instagram@2x.png)](https://www.instagram.com/vivecostadelsol_/) [![](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/hs-fs/hubfs/twitter.png?width=32&name=twitter.png)](https://x.com/feelcostadelsol) [![](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/hubfs/youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/visitcostadelsol) [![](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Avantine/tik-toklogo.png?width=32&name=tik-toklogo.png)](https://www.tiktok.com/@vivecostadelsol) [![](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/hs-fs/hubfs/linkedin%20(1).png?width=32&name=linkedin%20(1).png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/67939875/admin/dashboard/) ![Rectángulo 21](https://blog.visitacostadelsol.com/hubfs/Rect%C3%A1ngulo%2021.jpg "Rectángulo 21") © Turismo y Planificación Costa del Sol S.L.U. 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