SLTD finalises Colombo land for MICE venue
View(s):The Ministry of Tourism has finalised a land in Colombo for the proposed Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) centre that was announced in this year’s budget, officials said.
Chairman, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) Prema Cooray told the Business Times on the sidelines of a press briefing on JEV 2016 Congress (formerly known as SNAV 2016 Congress) being held in Colombo in October, that already a 4.5 acre land has been identified and the process is on with the line agencies to secure this property.
The recent budget has proposed to construct the largest capacity conference facility in Colombo and allocated Rs. 3 billion for the new centre. The government has proposed to establish the necessary infrastructure to create a MICE Triangle consisting of the BMICH, Nelum Pokuna Theatre and the New Town Hall.
According to a SLCB official this land in Colombo is under the Urban Development Authority (UDA) and the agencies under the Tourism Ministry had provided the relevant information for the proposal to the Minister.
The MICE tourist spends US$ 300 – 400 per day, which is 3-4 times more than an average holidaymaker, he said adding that it is the ‘cream’ of businesses. JEV is the biggest travel association in France and that organisation holding their annual convention in Sri Lanka this year where leaders of the travel and tourism trade in France will be attending the sessions in Colombo will be a huge boost to the tourism industry, Mr. Cooray told media.
The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau which comes under the Ministry of Tourism Development is making all arrangements to host this congress which will see some 450 participants with their spouses and partners.
(DEC)