MICE tourism promotion in India to boost Lankan industry

by Chanuka Mannapperuma

The Sri Lankan Tourism delegation returned after completing the first leg of the Indian (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions) MICE promotion in Bangalore and Hyderabad said, General Manager Sri Lanka Convention Bureau Vipula Wanigasekara.

On the direction of Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda, this is the first time the industry is offering a special MICE packaged by the SriLankan Airlines and marketed through its sales network and the Travel agents in India.

He said, MICE promotion was carried out by the Bureau, in partnership with SriLankan Airlines, Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces and the MICE Industry in Sri Lanka. He said, the campaign in Bangalore and Hyderabad consisted of one to one business meetings with Indian Corporates where the Sri Lankan Tourism Industry officials joined hands with the Bureau and Sri Lankan Airlines to promote the destination as a venue for meetings and incentives.

"The promotional event was held in Taj West end in Bangalore and Taj Krishna in Hyderabad for Indian Corporates and Travel agents providing opportunities for Sri Lankan MICE industry to establish contacts with their counterparts and corporates for short and long term business", he said.

The Sri Lankan MICE industry is geared to cater to the Indian upmarket.

The arrival of Indian MICE tourists is expected to increase in the coming months. He said that this promotion will continue in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai too.