Scope for 'Incentive Travel'

The 11th IMEX, the largest MICE travel fair in the world for (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conferences, Exhibitions and Events) concluded on Thursday with a large number of inquiries being made with regard to developing MICE tourism in Sri Lanka, a Sri Lanka Convention Bureau official said.

General Manager of the Convention Bureau, Vipula Wanigasekera said that this year the main target was the Incentive Travel Segment for which there is much scope in Sri Lanka.

IMEX opened in Frankfurt on May 21 with the participation of a larger number of exhibitors and host buyers.

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau with SriLankan Airlines and MICE industry members took part.

“The growing importance and increased understanding of meetings and motivational travel and events as a driver of economic growth and a creator of local knowledge economies is just one of the issues we will be discussing later at macro level and this advocacy event has built-up considerable momentum and authority over the years,” said Chairman, IMEX Group, Ray Bloom.

IMEX 10 foresight research showed a strong consensus to measure and communicate the strategic and macro-economic contribution that business events play in facilitating knowledge-based industries and driving long-term growth in local and national economies.

IMEX in Frankfurt is a worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events which brings in over 3,500 exhibitors from 157 countries representing national and regional tourist offices, major hotel groups, airlines, destination management companies, service providers and trade associations.

Around 4,000 host buyers from more than 60 world markets were present.

“We would like to beat our competitors by offering potential buyers beyond traditional locations because we could offer not only new locations but also different types of attractions to entice the Incentive Houses and Meeting planners,” Wanigasekera said.

Sri Lankan Airlines was led by its Regional Manger Europe, UK and North America, Kaushal Seneviratne and the industry members were Connaissance de Ceylan,

Aitken Spence Travels, Sunway Holidays, Jetwing Events, Sri Lanka Express, Golden Isle Travels, Eco Team - Beyond Boundaries, Lanka Exhibitions and Conference Services, and Nkar Travels and Tours.

The exhibition concluded on May 23.