Lanka to capitalise on MICE tourism in 2008

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Sri Lanka could expect very positive results from Meetings, Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Tourism promotion next year as a number of foreign conferences will be held in Colombo. Sri Lanka Convention Bureau Chairman M. Wanigasekara said it is expected that over 800,000 to go overseas from India for various conferences and ten per cent of them would come to Sri Lanka.

This year MICE Tourism promotion has targeted corporates in main cities in India and they are aware of the facilities and resources available in Sri Lanka.

Tourism Ministry Secretary George Michel said the implementation of the new Tourism Act No 38 of 2005 without any hindrance was the biggest achievement in the year and as a result of extensive promotional campaigns launched this year there will be better results in 2008.

Chairman Tourist Board Renton De Alwis said 2007 was a very challenging year but the country has now recovered from the serious situation prevailed in the past and the 40 per cent drop of tourist arrivals in September has turned to 20 per cent increase by November.

Referring to recent activities held in Galle with the arrival of English Cricket Team and the Barmy Army members there is a significant improvement in hotel bookings. The ten million tree planting campaign within five years an initiative of Rotary Club would give us immense benefits, he said.

Among the highlights on tourism this year establishment of Tourist Development Authority, Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Tourist Police Division initiating a healthy partnership with the Provincial Councils, creation of a new media culture, and setting up of the Tourism Development Fund has made a significant progress according to the performance review report of 2007.