Convention Bureau boosts Indian corporate meetings

In line with the vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to strengthen trade, investment and tourism ties with its closest friend, India, the Sri Lankan MICE delegation returned to Sri Lanka following a successful completion of the first leg of the current series of promotions planned by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) and SriLankan Airlines.

The promotion took place in Bangalore which brought over 100 Indian MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) operators, Corporates and reputed media to the Taj Residency.

SLCB chairman Prema Cooray who led the Sri Lanka delegation said "the President has declared 2011 as 'Visit Sri Lanka year' during which we expect a large number of visitors from India with the promotions being planned and special packages to be offered.

'Sri Lanka saw an immediate increase in the number of arrivals from India last month soon after the North of the country returned to normalcy. That is a clear indication for the potential growth from India particularly for MICE visits'.

"SriLankan Airlines is committed to the Indian market and we would be a close partner of SLCB", said Manager, Karnataka and South India, SriLankan Airlines Sharuka Wickrama Adittiya. Speaking on behalf of the Indian Corporates, immediate past President of FKCCI and Director SNAM Micro Abrasives D. Muralidhar said', "I would call Sri Lanka a better destination than many other Asian countries and would call upon all my business colleagues to visit Sri Lanka and experience the unique hospitality, golf and shopping".

The general reaction of the Indian Corporates is that Sri Lanka is now looked at as a value destination and is in their list of countries to be visited for Corporate meetings and Conferences.

Corporates outlined the currency advantage as well as the facility to have a visa on arrival as adding more value to their visits.

They, however, indicated that more promotions are needed in 2 tier cities to create awareness and interest.

The food promotion flavoured by the cultural performances, will continue until July 26. The other two promotions are scheduled to be held in New Delhi on July 31 and Mumbai on August 7 that will have similar events with more industry members expected to join the Bureau/SriLankan Airlines to reap the benefits.