SLCB, Sri Lanka re-enter Far East for MICE

In line with the tourism strategy to develop new markets, the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) and SriLankan Airlines carried out country MICE promotions in Singapore and Malaysia together with the MICE industry members last week.

In both cities, a large number of potential buyers attended the promotion which consisted of presentations and cultural recitals followed by cocktails and dinner where the industry members had ample time to establish contacts with their counterparts.

The Singapore gathering was addressed by the High Commissioner Ferial Ashroff together with SLCB, SriLankan and industry presentations while in KL, among the guests were the Acting High Commissioner for Sri Lanka. High Commissioner Ashroff took the opportunity to explain to the audience the accelerated implementation of the infrastructure development which directly helps tourism and MICE tourism.

Chairman of Malaysia Tourism Dr. Victor Wee who accepted the invitation extended by SLCB’s General Manager Vipula Wanigasekera, addressed the gathering as an opinion maker for Sri Lanka having visited the Island a number of times especially as a pilgrim to Buddhist sites.

SLCB was represented by Senior Manager Achini Dandunnage who presented the MICE Tourism development in the country in the last three years while the opening of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport was highlighted in the presentation by SriLankan Managers Chinthaka Weerasinghe and S.P. Mohan in both cities, which was keenly received by the audience as a remarkable change in the landscape of the tourism specially the MICE sector with the upcoming Hambantota International Convention Centre. BMICH DG Bandhula Ekanayake also showed the gathering the expansions and refurbishment of BMICH for future events.

Apart from the organisers viz Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and SriLankan Airlines, the participating MICE industry consisted of Aitken Spence Hotel Management, Aitken Spence Travel, Amaya Leisure Bandaranayke Memorial International Conference Hall, Blue Lotus, Golden Isle Hayleys Tours, Jetwing Events, Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services, Lanka Sportreizen, NKAR Travels and Tours, Sri Lanka Footprint, Sunway Holidays, Tropical Asia Tours and 361 Interactive.