SLCB inspires hoteliers in southern region to promote MICE Tourism

Awarding of certificates 

Q & A sessions 

 Participants at the session 

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), an entity under the Ministry of Tourism and Lands, successfully concluded the Southern Hoteliers Training Program on MICE Tourism on 8 May at the Occidental Eden Beruwala. 

This is one of the series of training programs that had been organised by SLCB in many parts of the country during the past few years. This particular MICE Tourism training program was organised in order to create awareness on MICE Tourism among the southern hoteliers and for them to geared up for the upcoming Southern MICE EXPO 2024 to be held on from 27-31 May. Expo will be attended by more than 100 hosted buyers across the globe and also 15 international media. 

This program was attended by nearly 50 participants from 20 hotels in the southern coastal belt.

This one day event commenced with the opening remarks delivered by Sri Lanka Convention Bureau General Manager Krishantha Fernando and consisted of eminent speakers from the MICE industry who are working as DMCs, hoteliers and also a speaker from the Tourist Police. The first session on “Presentation skills in pitching for events to your hotel” was done by Shyana Jayalath who is a marketer and a communicator, which was followed by an informative session by Tourist Police Director Pradeep Ratnayake on “What support the Sri Lanka Police could offer when organising events”.

“How to increase your revenue with MICE/Business Events” was done by Aitken Spence Travels Ltd. Conventions & Exhibitions Division General Manager Ziyan Ameen. Taj Bentota General Manager Sibi Mathew did an experience sharing session on handling successful business events. The final speaker for the day was Compere Digital Marketing Consultant, Founder/CEO and ARS Healthcare Head of Sales and Marketing Gihan Samarawickrama, who spoke on “Connecting Digital Marketing for successful MICE/ Business events”.   

This event also consisted of a practical working group session on “Identifying an Event to position the Southern Region as a MICE hub”. Participants came out with many interesting and creative MICE experiences that the south of Sri Lanka can offer to the MICE Traveller.

All participants were awarded with a certificate of participation issued by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau. The event wrapped up with closing remarks from Sri Lanka Convention Bureau Manager Research Development and Training Kumudu Hennedige.