Sri Lanka grows as a MICE destination
View(s):Sri Lanka is growing as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) destination and local authorities are pushing ahead with a mega promotion drive to profile centres outside Colombo like Negombo for instance as a MICE destination.
With this in mind, SriLankan Airlines through its units -SriLankan Holidays and SriLankan MICE – jointly organised a conference recently at the Jetwing Blue, Negombo to promote Sri Lanka as a leisure travel and MICE location.
A delegate raising a question during the Q&A session
The conference which saw the presence of over 120 overseas participants, brought many SriLankan Holidays Franchise Operators, SLH Ground Operators, MICE Operators and foreign media representatives from all SriLankan online points network wide under one roof where they were given the opportunity to interact and share knowledge among each other.
A SriLankan Airlines’ media release said delegates were provided information on the airline’s wide range of products and services with special emphasis on effective methods of attracting tourists to Sri Lanka and beyond, with SriLankan as the preferred carrier.
The sessions also comprised meetings between the visiting participants and SLAITO members (Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators) in order to enlighten them further on destination Sri Lanka.
SriLankan Airlines, Chairman, Nishantha Wickremasinghe said, “This will be a foundation on which we can build solid partnerships, set targets, enhance our business relationships and face the challenges of this fastest growing segment of tourism. There is a great potential in the MICE sector and the Airline’s Business Plan will have a stronger focus on MICE in the future.”
SriLankan Airlines Chief Marketing Officer, G.T. Jeyaseelan said, “When it comes to MICE, the traditional boardroom style space is being replaced by innovative approaches where outdoor settings have become a popular choice among corporate travellers. With the economies improving, there is once again a renewed demand for exhibitions, meetings and events globally; and Sri Lanka, being the quintessential island that has so much to offer any traveller, can become a prominent MICE destination in the world. ”
The conference highlighted at length the growing potential of Sri Lanka as a tourist destination with the rapid development drive taking place in the country at present. It was also a platform to explore new avenues through which SriLankan can contribute to the country’s target of 2.5 million tourist arrivals by 2016, the statement said.
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