Business travel

SLCB goes for product development
 

by Surekha Galagoda

[email protected]

The Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau (SLCB) has extended its forte into the area of product development and is currently studying the new Convention facilities in Colombo and the outstations.

SLCB recently arranged the visit of Philip Logan, General Manager for Development and Special projects in South Asia for Accor Hospitality and Hyderabad International Convention Centre and Novotel Hyderabad, owned by Emaar Properties of Dubai.

Accor Hospitality and Accor Services are two divisions of the world's largest and most diverse international hospitality and tourism services provider including a portfolio of 40 + brands and assets which includes more than 4,500 hotels across 102 countries.

Here are excerpts of an interview with Philip Logan on MICE tourism and its impact on Sri Lanka.

Question: You just signed an agreement with the Sri Lankan Government for the tallest building in Sri Lanka. You call it the City Icon. Why a City Icon?

Answer: To be a global city it's easier to capture people's hearts and minds if the community or country has a global icon, common examples are Sydney's Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Paris Eiffel Tower and Arch de Triumph, NY Empire State building and Statue of Liberty, India's Taj Mahal, Dubai's Burj al Jurab, Egypt's Sphinx and the Pyramids are some icons.

When structures are new like Sydney Opera House or Burj Dubai (under construction) the building needs something extraordinary like Malaysia's Petronas Towers, hence the Diamond Tower with 55 storeys and Diamond edged feature and unusual building peak set against the green of Colombo in the main street, has the right address and imposing stature to engage the Sri Lankan pride.

Q: How do you see the prospects for MICE business in South Asia in general in the coming years?

A: Corporate meetings, Incentives and exhibitions market will expand extensively in the region in the coming years as the developing world continues to engage and open their economies.

This increased level of commercial activity brings about an obvious need to communicate and explain products and services. To this end MICE business will grow dramatically in areas where infrastructure is provided to support this growth.

Q: What were the factors that enabled you to decide on the Hyderabad Convention Centre?

A: The key factors had been, a) availability of suitable Land bank with the authorities, b) demarcated commercial activity Zone, c) provision of substantial commercial opportunity, d) government support in areas such as taxation, title, approvals and, e) product/market opportunity.

Q: How was the business since the opening of the Hyderabad Convention Centre?

A: We have done extremely well although initially we had to create awareness and interest among the event organisers. Since January 2006 we have averaged 174 events per annum. So Hyderabad has been a success story in the convention business.

Q: What is the life span for a Convention centre and why do you think it is so?

A: That depends on the quality and size of investment. Usually it is not less than 20 years provided there is constant upgrading and refurbishment to stay current during the asset life.

Q: What are the things that Sri Lanka is lacking in the promotion of conference business? A: Sri Lanka needs to create a substantial profile with infrastructure development on par with international standards for serious sizable Conferences and events that bring in over 3,000 delegates. Infrastructure development includes road network, accommodation facilities, shopping and night life. Convention centres are very much part of the city and its surroundings.

Q: Do you see a potential in Sri Lanka to develop the conference industry?

A: The MICE industry is always looking for new and interesting destinations to meet. Transport connectivity, diverse array of accommodation and international standards, purpose built MICE infrastructure is cost entry for serious players considering entry.

Security concerns and industry expertise then become post infrastructure issues. Therefore, Sri Lanka has a great potential to develop this industry if these prerequisites are met.

Q: What are the elements that Sri Lanka should consider to make it an airline hub?

A: The main issues are related to capacity constraints, infrastructure and ability to be cost competitive against much bigger subsidised countries also seeking the same hub status.

Q: What is the potential for Sri Lanka in general tourism in the coming years?

A: Again, Leisure Tourism requires investment in road, rail and accommodation for its sustainability and development. While Sri Lanka could use its tremendous diversity to project itself as a unique destination that will offer a unique experience, the basics must be met for marketing efforts to succeed.

He said that the role of the Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau is moving the MICE industry forward.

The Bureau's key role is to bring together all Tourism industry sectors under one united voice to assist the private and government sector to market the destination and provide policy advice to Tourism and infrastructure ministries on the potential way forward linking policy initiatives to actionable strategy enabling economic growth of the nation.

The Bureau should not be merely a marketing arm but it has to function as a product development arm as well.

SriLankan - making meetings happen

SriLankan Airlines will take on an active role in promoting solutions for the meetings industry through the strategic reorganisation of its meetings, incentives, conferences and events division into a proactive marketing unit. The restructured SriLankan MICE division will offer companies an array of end to end solutions for meetings and other corporate events.

The Airlines' Meetings and Incentives solutions will include airfare, hotel accommodation and conference services and will be designed to suit the individual needs of each group. A range of basic packages will also be available to companies and through travel agents, with the options of adding on services, tours and other products as per each customer's requirements.

General Manager, SriLankan Holidays and MICE Amith Sumanapala said, "The meeting industry is growing very rapidly and Sri Lanka has a lot of potential to be a preferred destination for corporate events.

"Initially we will promote venues in Sri Lanka to the meeting industry, progressively adding new destination in the region as the demand builds up."

SriLankan Airlines has traditionally played the role of a promoter and silent partner in overall national events and proposals initiated by local organisations.

In the new structure, SriLankan Airlines will continue to support local corporate event organisers with special airfares and other products and services that will make a winning bid to host an event in the island but would also aggressively market meeting packages under the SriLankan Airlines' Meetings and Incentives banner.

Book on-line - free tickets from Emirates

Travellers in Sri Lanka who book tickets on-line for travel with Emirates can now win air tickets to exciting destinations in three different regions following the launch of a new on-line booking promotion by the award-winning carrier.

To participate and stand a chance to win, the promotion which is valid till March 31 requires travellers to book their seats on Emirates operated flights via www.emirates.com/lk.

Winning opportunities include Economy Class return tickets to London, Dubai and Singapore, three of the most popular destinations for travellers from Sri Lanka. To participate in the grand draw for these prizes, passengers should have booked online, ticketed and flown the first sector on or before March 31.