Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) welcomed a media delegation from Ahmedabad, Gujarat State, India. The media familiarisation tour kicked off from 13 to 18 October.

The delegation comprises prominent journalists from leading Gujarat-based media platforms, namely NTV News, Western Times, Bilkulonline.com, Vadodara Samachar, Sandesh newspaper, and Gujarat Headline. Gujarat is a state with significant potential for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) and tourism development. SLCB organised this program as a follow-up to the Sri Lanka Tourism Roadshows held in Indore, Vadodara and Surat from 12 to 14 July 2024.

Journalists were selected based on direct contacts established during these roadshows with the assistance of the “Strategic Media Services” – communication and tour agency – Ahmedabad, India.

The delegation visited Negombo, Chilaw, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Kandy, Pinnawala and Colombo.

This media familiarisation tour forms a key part of the SLCB Marketing Plan 2024. The primary objective of the program was to position Sri Lanka as a safe and secure venue for MICE tourism as well as an attractive destination for tourism experiences. The initiative provided an opportunity for the delegates to obtain first-hand information about Sri Lanka and an opportunity to promote the destination to their esteemed clients.

During the tour, the delegation visited several MICE venues and tourist attractions in and around Colombo, Negombo, Dambulla and Kandy. The itinerary included unique experiences such as wellness, village safari, wildlife excursions, city tours, shopping, nightlife experiences and hotel inspections. During the hotel and MICE venue inspection tour in Negombo, Kandy and Colombo, the delegation obtained first-hand knowledge of the venue capacities for MICE tourism.

The delegation had meetings with the SLCB Chairman and senior officials of SLCB, top-level officials from the Sri Lanka Rotary Club Colombo, and the managements of leading hotel chains.

It was envisaged that total tourist arrivals by the end of October 2024 would reach 1,601,949. India was the main contributor, recording 318,653 tourist arrivals with a share of 20%. SLCB has positioned India as a key market to promote MICE tourism and included it in the annual marketing plan.