The arrival of the Indian Delegation at the BIA

Visit to Kandy Dalanda Maliga

During the B2B session with Local Industry members

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Mumbai organised a MICE familiarisation tour for Indian MICE Agents from 16-21 March.

The main objective of the programme was to convey the message to the Indian MICE market that Sri Lanka is a safe and secure venue for MICE Tourism as well as an attractive destination for tourism experiences.

A six-member MICE delegation of leading MICE companies in Mumbai visited Sri Lanka to experience MICE and Leisure.

SLCB organised a virtual familiarisation tour for Indian MICE Agents late last year followed by a physical familiarisation tour for the MICE Agents based in Mumbai.

MICE familiarisation tours have been identified as an important tool to showcase MICE tourism and to provide first-hand information and exposure to promote the destination for their clients.

The delegation visited several MICE venues and tourist attractions in Negombo, Kandy, Galle, Bentota, Colombo, and an inspection tour at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo.

The participants had an opportunity to experience several iconic destinations during their visit to the island.

Further, a meeting with the Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, and SLCB officials to discuss MICE opportunities and offerings available in Sri Lanka.

A B2B session between the local MICE industry and the Indian Delegation was organised on 9 March hosted by the BMICH.   The session provided an avenue for Sri Lankan MICE industry members to interact with Indian delegates to further promote Sri Lanka as a MICE-destination.

Sri Lanka recorded 101,192 tourist arrivals in March 2022 compared to the 4,581 arrivals during the same period last year. Among the arrivals, India accounted for the highest arrival numbers, which indicates India is an important market for Sri Lanka in terms of both leisure and MICE.