CHENNAI: Sri Lanka appears to be the latest foreign tourism board determined to have its share of the Indian MICE pie. India has emerged as an important market for Lanka for developing MICE in terms of numbers, value and also connected services.
India is an important market for Sri Lanka for developing MICE in terms of numbers, value and also connected services. And 2018 saw 63,733 MICE arrivals in Sri Lanka compared to 57,694 in 2017 and 53,510 in 2016, registering an increase in arrivals on annual basis. The island nation has been witnessing an increasing trend of India MICE arrivals during the past years too.
Sri Lanka is growing as “a destination for all seasons.” Last year, saw a rapid increase with approximately 4,24,887 Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka, as against 3,84,628 footfalls in 2017 and 3,56,729 in 2016.
Encouraged by the evolving trends, the SLCB has initiated measures to attract MICE travellers from India. Strengthening cooperation with tour operators such as Thomas Cook, SOTC, Travel & Tours and FCMs promoting Ramayana trail, popularisign Sri Lanka as fast-growing destination for weddings out of India, and simplifying visa procedure are some of the other measures.
The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) has initiated MICE promotion interaction in Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata from Sept. 16 to 20, positioning itself as a preferred MICE destination and showcasing the opportunities to Indian travel trade, PCOs and MICE organisers.
According to V. Krishnamoorthy, Deputy High Commissioner, Sri Lanka to Southern India, Sri Lanka has gained immense popularity in India and has experienced a consistent growth over the period. Sri Lankan MICE delegation has come first to Chennai, and will be proceeding to Bengaluru & Kolkata to explore these markets, and tap the travel agents to increase the flow of MICE business.
