MICE Tourism Sri Lanka

MICE arrivals have been increasing in Sri Lanka in the last three years and they will
continue to grow. Around 11 percent of the total visitors into Sri Lanka represent the
(MICE) segment and currently it stands over 119,000 with a 5-10 increase annually.
Sri Lanka is not new to the MICE industry. Government then hosted Non Aligned
Conference way back in 1976 where 83 world leaders were in Sri Lanka. The next
biggest conference is CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting)
happening in November this year.
The Mission of Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) is to position Sri Lanka
internationally as a recognized venue for Meetings and Events. SriLankan Airlines is a
partner of SLCB in realizing the goals of MICE.
Among many international conferences, Sri Lanka will host in this year 22nd Working
Meeting IUCN SSC Crocodile Specialist , 42nd SKAL Asia Pacific Congress , 2nd
International Conference on Engineering Mathematics and Physics, 2nd International
Conference on Psychological Sciences and Behaviors ICPSB, 2nd International
Conference on Innovation, Trade and Economics - ICITE , International Symposium on
Community Governance Colombo, Sri Lanka and 1st International Conference on BioDiversity.
Sri Lanka also won the bid to host Asian Youth Games that is coming to Sri Lanka in
2017. This would be the largest Sports events to be held in Sri Lanka. In the recent
past Sri Lanka has held quite number of reputed conferences including The 44th
Annual Scientific Sessions & 8th South Asia Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology
(SAFOG) Conference, Annual Conference of the Asian Pacific Stroke Organisation ,
10th International Conference of the East & Southeast Asia Federation of Soil
Science Societies, 6th Asian Congress of Pediatric Infectious decease , Asia Pacific
Academic Consortium for Public Health ,IATA Global Aviation Summit and 21st
Annual Congress & Scientific session of college of Ophthalmologist.
Sri Lankas current tourism strategy is focused more on Infrastructure, Product and
attraction development and the inflow of Investments. MICE sector also awaits
infrastructure development and Government has taken a timely decision by
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embarking on a Convention Centre in the deep South - Hambantota where the new
International Airport has come into operation. The potential for the growth of
Exhibitions is also enormous with the existing facilities becoming full with bookings.
Sri Lankas real strength is in Corporate Meetings and Incentive Travel for the
diversity of attractions and locations available in this country that cannot be easily
matched by any other competitor. The diversity is so vast from beaches, to culture,
Heritage, wild life, and mountains that could be reached within a few hours of drive.
The new products will further be added onto the Tourism plants and these include
various Boutique type themed products.
We have promoted Incentive travelers beyond beaches to tea plantations, waterfalls,
Wild Life, Horse Riding, Fresh Water fishing , Adventure with team building and
motivational programs. Kandy has also become a popular venue or at least a point
which the incentive program touches including a visit to Botanical Garden and a
game of Golf.
Unique incentive programs covering diversity of locations are offered to Incentive
Houses to differentiate incentive tour packages in Sri Lanka from that of her
competitors. Most long haul Incentive travelers prefer to avoid Colombo and
experience sandy beaches snorkeling, Scuba diving and skiing and now the wild life,
Whale Watching, Spiritual Development etc.
Corporate meeting planners also opt to book venues in the Cultural Triangle, Galle
and Several other locations in Sri Lanka. In all these locations, accommodation and
meeting facilities are offered. There are also facilities for corporate training programs
and natural settings for exclusive incentives.
SLCB and SriLankan Airlines are present at the CIBTM with the industry to convey to
all meeting and Incentive planners that Sri Lanka has now emerged as one of the best
Incentive destinations and corporate venues for business meetings and we believe
more in the word of mouth than any other communication tools.

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