Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) conducts MICE promotion interaction in Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata

All India, Date, 2019: Sri Lanka Convention Bureau organised a MICE promotion in Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata, during the week of 16^th to 20^th September, 2019.Positioning Sri Lanka as a preferred MICE destination and showcasing the opportunities to Indian travel trade, PCOs and MICE organisers, has been the major focus for this exclusive event. Top of the line travel trade & MICE professionals attended the event as well as interacted with the SLCB team, to understand the unique offerings for Indian travellers in Sri Lanka.

V Krishnamoorthy, Deputy High Commissioner, Sri Lanka to Southern India lighting the lamp

India is an important market for Sri Lanka for developing MICE in terms of numbers, value and also connected services. The year 2018 saw 63,733 MICE arrivals in Sri Lanka as compared to 57,694 in 2017 and 53,510 in 2016. It is witnessed that there is an increasing trend of India MICE arrivals during the past years. Sri Lanka is growing as “a destination for all seasons”! The year 2018 saw a rapid increase with approximately 424,887 Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka, as compared to 384,628 arrivals in 2017 and 356,729 in 2016.

The country is a top-notch tourist destination and known as the Wonder of Asia for its long-preserved culture and heritage. Witnessing the growth and potential from India, SLCB has taken a step forward in consolidating their presence in the Indian market. 

The following initiatives were taken by Sri Lanka to attract MICE travellers from India.

• Strengthen cooperation with large tour operators such as Thomas Cook,SOTC, Travel & Tours, FCM’s etc. who have large network of corporate working with them.
• The Ramayana trail, an ancient Hindu literary epic of India properly marketed with the objective of bring in large numbers of Indian visitors for Sri Lanka. The most popular Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka developed with proper infrastructure facilities and printed a Brochure with site details.
• Popularize Sri Lanka as fast-growing destination for weddings out of India.  There are number of groups of wedding planners were facilitated to visit Sri Lanka to make aware them.
• As a Government arm of development MICE industry, SLCB organized industry participation at leading MICE trade exhibitions in India.
• Taken initiative to remove minimum hotel rates to facilitate MICE visitors.
• Simplify visa procedure – on arrival visa for Indian travellers

Mr V Krishnamoorthy, Deputy High Commissioner, Sri Lanka to Southern India stated that Sri Lanka has gained immense popularity in India and has experienced a consistent growth over the period. Sri Lankan MICE Delegation has come first to Chennai, and will be proceeding to Bengaluru & Kolkata to explore these markets, and tap the travel agents to increase the flow of MICE business.💢💢