Sri Lanka Convention Bureau organises Sri Lanka Tourism MICE Promotion in Kolkata

“The Sri Lanka Tourism MICE promotions are structured to facilitate meaningful B2B interactions and productive dialogue among industry stakeholders”.

TFT: Could you briefly introduce the exhibition and its core objectives?

DH: Sri Lanka’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism promotion drives business travel to the island through targeted marketing campaigns and flagship events like the Sri Lanka MICE EXPO. We are coming in these cities in India mainly in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Chennai. Sri Lanka is considered one of the finest MICE destinations. The core objectives of Sri Lanka’s MICE tourism promotion is to establish the island as Asia’s premier, cost effective, corporate event hub and showcasing Sri Lanka’s modern infrastructure, luxury resorts, and eco-friendly event venues to global business leaders.

 

TFT: What inspired the launch of this campaign, and what gap does it address within the industry?

DH: Sri Lanka launched its targeted MICE tourism campaign to maximize revenue, boost foreign exchange, and fill excess hotel capacities created by new infrastructure ventures. In Ahmedabad, we had reached million tourist. Our target is to attract 5 million tourist by 2030. Business travellers typically spend four times more than standard leisure tourist, making it a highly lucrative sector for the National economy.

 

TFT: What are some of the important things from the event you would like to share?

DH: The Sri Lanka Tourism MICE promotions are structured to facilitate meaningful B2B interactions and productive dialogue among industry stakeholders. We came with 22 Sri Lanka Airlines. This initiative forms part of a focused effort to strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as a preferred MICE tourism destination in India, one of the country’s most important source markets. A 24 member delegation comprising leading Sri Lankan tour operators and hoteliers will participate in the initiative, highlighting the country’s diverse attractions, world class infrastructure and hospitality, and unique experiences.

 

TFT: What type of audience is this campaign targeting?

DH: Sri Lanka Tourism’s MICE promotions specifically target corporate travel planners, international business delegates and event organizers.

 

TFT: How do you think this campaign will benefit the growing tourism economy of Sri Lanka?

DH: Sri Lanka’s MICE sector is experiencing rapid growth as the country positions itself as a premier South Asian Corporate hub. Planners are combining business with authentic, curated cultural experiences, as MICE delegates seek deeper cultural immersion. Evening networking sessions will further strengthen professional relationships in a more informal setting. A performance by a Sri Lankan cultural troupe will also provide a vibrant cultural showcase, highlighting the country’s rich heritage and traditions.

 

TFT: How does this campaign help business discover new opportunities and partnership?

DH: Exhibitions and roadshows, such as the India International Travel Mart (IITM) in Kolkata, act as a catalysts for the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau to capture a share of India’s booming MICE. Sri Lankan delegates engage in structured one-on-one meetings with corporate buyers and event planners. This direct access connect hospitality and airline executives to regional decision makers planning corporate retreats or conferences. Face to Face interactions foster the long term trust necessary to form strategic partnerships between Indian Travel Agencies and Sri Lankan Travel Agencies.

 

TFT: Apart from this campaign what are the other initiatives taken?

DH: Apart from the exhibition, the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau’s MICE Promotion structured B2B sessions connecting local Indian buyers with Sri Lankan suppliers, a comprehensive Destination Seminar and a Press Conference focused on cross border on corporate tourism industry. A detailed seminar Showcasing Sri Lanka’s MICE infrastructure hotels, venues, event support to Kolkata based business event planners and corporate travel agencies.

 

TFT: Who are some of the distinguished speakers, industry leaders or policymakers participating in Sri Lanka Tourism MICE Promotion?

DH: The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and Sri Lanka Tourism hosted the “Meet in Sri Lanka” MICE Roadshow in Kolkata. Key distinguished speakers, industry leaders, participated in this event were Dheera Hettiarachchi, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Malkanthi Welikala, Manager Marketing of Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Melum Samarawickrama, Manager, Inbound, Karusan Travels, Sri Lanka & Maldives. The key delegates representing the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employments and Tourism Industry were also present.

 

TFT: What opportunities does the event offer for networking and business collaborations?

DH: The Sri Lanka Tourism MICE Promotion in Kolkata offered a targeted B2B platform. The Kolkata based travel agents, corporate leaders and event planners had participated in this networking sessions with 24 member delegation of leading Sri Lankan hoteliers and tour operators. This Roadshow also highlighted Sri Lanka’s expanding hospitality infrastructure and as a premium location for destination weddings and corporate incentive travel. Travel between Sri Lanka and India remains highly convenient with Sri Lankan Airlines operating 90 week flights connecting Sri Lanka with nine Indian cities. In addition, Indigo and Air India operate daily flights to Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Chennai ensuring seamless accessibility for both business and leisure travellers.

 

TFT: How do you see the Sri Lankan tourism Industry evolving over the next 5 to 10 years?

DH: The Sri Lankan Tourism Industry aims to secure 1.4 billion in revenue and capture roughly 10% to 20% of total tourist arrivals by focusing on high yield business travellers.

 

TFT: What message would you like to share to our readers?

DH: Sri Lanka blends world class business infrastructure with beautiful leisure travel. It is one of the finest destinations for both work and play. The message for all exhibitors, visitors, and stakeholders in Sri Lankan MICE Tourism highlights the islands premier position as the ideal, strategic gateway at the heart of the Indian Ocean.