Better times for Sri Lankan Meetings industry

Better times for Sri Lankan Meetings industry

Experience the difference ! Experience  value for Money! are the slogans in the ‘Meet in Sri Lanka campaign’ which has brought an increasing number of MICE tourists into Sri Lanka over the last three years recording well over 12% of the total    visitors into the country.

The new Convention and Exhibition Centre is coming up in Hambantota, the South of Sri Lanka and will be completed by June 2012. With capacity to house over 1500 delegates and ample Exhibition space, Conference business will take a new turn with the development of the International Airport , just 15 minutes away from the Convention  centre.

Colombo, the commercial Capital of Sri Lanka continues to attract many delegates.

Colombo is  a Shoppers Paradise,  The city comes alive at night with pool parlors, karaoke bars, night clubs, pubs  and casinos.  A wide range of international and

Asian cuisines are offered in exclusive restaurants and food courts.

The city has 2 state of the art  Conference & Exhibition Centres.  Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall – the BMICH, is the first purpose-built Convention centre in South Asia which has been modernised and expanded to accommodate more exhibitions. Further expansion will take place to accommodate more events. The other is the Sri Lankan Exhibition and Convention Centre which has become popular for exhibitions in the region. There are also Conference  Hotels,  From heritage 3 star to 5 star  with  seating capacity from  50 pax – 1500 pax. Meetings and conference is a big business for these city hotels in the last few years.

Instead of the hustle and bustle, many organisers consider having their meetings by the shores in Sri Lanka.  Sri Lanka is an Island with beaches from North Western Coast to South Western coast.  Another option is to climb the hills where the beautiful sceneries like the waterfalls that cascade down to the forest below, will inspire you. In the mountains, there is city of Kandy. The Last Kingdom of Sri Lanka and the home for the Temple of the Lord Buddha’s Tooth Relic.   The city of  Kandy is  a world heritage site and has a World Famous Botanical Garden and Golf Link.

If you climb further up you arrive at the city called little England – Nuwara Eliya. You see the green velvet tea plantations where the ‘ Ceylon tea’ comes from. The visitors have many leisure options including from Horse Riding, Fresh Water fishing and, visiting Country Pubs.   Corporate meeting planners also opt to book venues in the Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka. The reason is obvious.  Sri Lanka is a home for several  world heritage sites.

In all these locations, accommodation and meeting facilities are offered. There are also  facilities for corporate training programs and natural settings for exclusive incentives.

Our MICE industry consists of experts not only in handling conferences but also in offering creative programs taking the full advantage of the diverse products in the region. Be it floating on a hot air balloon or  Taking group journey in a steam engine train that existed in the colonial times,  Or  ride on bullock cart Or even an elephant ride and many more.

MICE industry in Sri Lanka capitalises on innovatively worked out programs for Incentives based on customer preferences both expressed and not hitherto experienced. The Industry works on value added offers and differentiated products. ` Sharpen mind through meditation,  ‘ ‘Nature treatment and Self development’  ‘ Ayrvedic healing ’,  ‘ Towards  illness free mind and body, are some of the value additions that only a few could challenge in the region in Incentive business when carried out with authenticity.

Incentive groups have been fascinated with opportunities to sell vegetable in a vegetable stall, or join the village fishers for a half day traditional fishing session.

There are many team building Exercises for corporates  - Treasure hunts,  Water based activities like Rafting,  Rescue operations, and many more. They may also engage in sports from Golfing to cycling. Spiritual tourism is a new phenomenon that is getting fast popular as against the days where action oriented or activity oriented holidays were sought after.

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau works in partnership with SriLankan Airlines and its members are consisting of Professional Congress & Exhibition Organizers

Destination Management Companies,  Conference & Exhibition Centers, Support Services, Hotels – Both City Hotels and Resort hotels.  Sri Lankan MICE industry provides professional expertise to suit niche requirements and a personalized service based on the requirement of the client through customized marketing.

Middle East is fast emerging as an attractive market for Sri Lanka with Corporates and Incentive groups looking for new destinations.  Sri Lankan MICE industry is hopeful that the Middle East will soon become a primary market in the coming years hence gearing itself to cater to the needs of visitors from the middle east.

Sri Lankan MICE industry delivers what it promises. That is why MICE tourism is gaining grounds in Sri Lanka. Today they send out the message to all prospective visitors at the GIBTM, Experience the difference ! Experience the value for Money! In Sri Lanka!.