Sri Lanka promotes MICE tourism for potential stakeholders in Dhaka

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) and SriLankan Airlines, convened a MICE Promotion Evening on 1 September at the High Commission premises in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

 The event included a Media Briefing and Business Match Making Programme between the Sri Lankan Delegation and the invited Bangladesh MICE buyers, followed by a Business Forum and Dinner Reception held at the High Commission premises. 

 The main objective of this exclusive event was the positioning Sri Lanka as a preferred MICE Destination and showcase the opportunities to Bangladesh Travel Trade, Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) and MICE organisations.

More than 80 participants from Bangladesh representing Outbound MICE Agents, Corporates, Association Heads and Incentive Houses and 12 Sri Lankan MICE Industry Companies, the National Flag Carrier SriLankan Airlines and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) collaborated and engaged in exploring the MICE industry potential of the two countries.

 The Association of Travel Agents Bangladesh (ATAB), The Bangladesh Outbound Tour Operators Association (BOTOA), The Tour Operators Association in Bangladesh (TOAB) and the Bangladesh Travel Writers Association (BDTWA) also partnered with the High Commission of Sri Lanka in organizing the event.

 In his keynote address, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Professor Sudharshan Seneviratne highlighted the emergence of Bangladesh as a key target market in the South Asian region with its palpable presence.

 Bangladesh has proven its self-determination, economic development and resilience within a limited time frame while broadening its horizons, especially in the field of trade, investment and tourism. 

50 years of reflection of the two nations will undoubtedly maximize their collective potential in the coming years, and the “Evening of MICE Promotion” will be the first of many in unleashing centuries of solidarity and fraternal ties between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. 

 Chairman Sri Lanka Convention Bureau Thisum Jayasuriya said Bangladesh is a key source market in the South Asian Region for MICE and has shown a positive trend in its increase in MICE traffic over the past years.

 SriLankan Airlines’ direct air connectivity has positively encouraged development within the sector. Sri Lanka is working towards catering to the Bangladesh MICE visitors in coordination with the Sri Lankan MICE stakeholders to sustain and increase the volume of business by adding special experiential features.

 Addressing the gathering, Manager SriLankan Airlines in Bangladesh Sharuka Wickrama Adittiya said that SriLankan Airlines will endeavour to provide its best services from departure to the inflight experience and return journey to all its passengers. 

This will especially extend to the MICE groups with a warm welcome on board Sri Lanka’s national carrier. Presently, SriLankan Airlines operates daily flights on the Colombo-Dhaka sector, being an added advantage for all travellers.

 Both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh hold great fortitude in sectoral cooperation, particularly in the areas of tourism, trade and commerce, shipping and people-to-people contact, whilst being significant members of SAARC, BIMSTEC and the Commonwealth of Nations.

 Sri Lanka shares a great deal of comfort in doing business with Bangladesh and has been able to maintain a symbiotic relationship which entails the future growth of both countries.

 This year, the two countries are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations and together will forge ahead in friendship and solidarity.