“SriLankan Holidays & SriLankan MICE Conference 2013” explores new avenues in tourism

“SriLankan Holidays & SriLankan MICE Conference 2013” explores new avenues in tourism

 “SriLankan Holidays & SriLankan MICE Conference 2013”, jointly organized by SriLankan MICE and the leisure arm of SriLankan Airlines, SriLankan Holidays, was held at Jetwing Blue, Negombo with over 120 overseas participants in attendance. It was aimed at promoting Sri Lanka as a sought-after travel destination for the leisure and MICE traveller.

The conference brought many SriLankan Holidays Franchise Operators, SLH Ground Operators, MICE Operators and foreign media representatives from all SriLankan online points network wide under one roof where they were given the opportunity to interact and share knowledge among each other.  They were educated on SriLankan’s wide range of products and services with special emphasis on effective methods of attracting tourists to Sri Lanka and beyond, with SriLankan as the preferred carrier. The sessions also comprised meetings between the overseas participants and SLAITO members (Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators) in order to enlighten them further on destination Sri Lanka.

SriLankan Airlines, Chairman, Mr. Nishantha Wickremasinghe said, “This will be a foundation on which we can build solid partnerships, set targets, enhance our business relationships and face the challenges of this fastest growing segment of tourism. There is a great potential in the MICE sector and the Airline’s Business Plan will have a stronger focus on MICE in the future.”

SriLankan Airlines Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. G.T. Jeyaseelan said, “When it comes to MICE industry, the traditional boardroom style space is being replaced by innovative approaches where outdoor settings have become a popular choice among corporate travellers. With the economies improving, there is once again a renewed demand for exhibitions, meetings and events globally; and Sri Lanka, being the quintessential island that has so much to offer any traveller, can become a prominent MICE destination in the world. ”

SriLankan Airlines, Regional Manager- Sri Lanka and Maldives Mr. Saminda Perera said, “Over the last four years, we have witnessed soaring development and growth in Sri Lanka. Further expansions are expected in 2013, in the form of large infrastructure projects such as the Hambantota port, the Hambantota International Convention Centre, the Airport expressway , the extension of the Southern highway and of course the key gateway to the south –  the Hambantota International Airport which has been in operation since March this year. These developments will have a positive impact on the tourism industry and on Sri Lanka’s ascent to becoming a high-end destination in the near future. This conference was held at the most opportune time as it is imperative to cement our ties with our overseas partners to ensure growth at two key divisions of SriLankan Airlines – SriLankan Holidays and SriLankan MICE”

The conference highlighted at length the growing potential of Sri Lanka as a tourist destination with the rapid development drive taking place in the country at present.  It was also a platform to explore new avenues through which SriLankan can contribute to the country’s target of 2.5 million tourist arrivals by 2016.