UNWTO confab on March 26

MICE activities promoted this month:

Irangika RANGE

Sri Lanka Tourism will host the United Nations World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO) conference from March 24 to 26 in Colombo.

Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene addressing the media-briefing held in Colombo on Tuesday said that the month of March in the Sri Lankan Tourism calender has been allocated to promote MICE activities that stand for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions.

He said that representatives from South Asia, East Asia and Pacific Asia will participate at this international conference.

This move will create an awareness on Sri Lankan tourism globally while showcasing the country’s tourism potential with special emphasis on transforming Sri Lanka into best tourist destination.

The Minister said That Sri Lanka Tourism launched the “Visit Sri Lanka 2011 campaign with 12 themed event spreading across the year to promote a new Sri Lanka in the international markets. Twelve themes are targeted to be promoted during each month of this year symbolizing the twelve letters in the “Wonder of Asia”.

These twelve themes include beaches, sports and adventure, MICE, people and culture, religious tourism, weddings and honeymoons, body and mind wellness, heritage, nature and wildlife, community and education, culinary and shopping and entertainment. ”Sri Lanka Tourism’s aim with the campaign is to get the involvement and the support of the local and international markets alike to develop these products and attract more tourists to the country,” he said.

The Deputy Minister further said that Sri Lanka was earlier known as a beach destination among most of the tourists.

With the events planned for this year and the products created surrounding the events and themes, the intention is to highlight the various products that could cater to different market segments in the worldwide.

Meanwhile, the all Ceylon Buddhist Congress Annual General Meeting will be taken place at the International Buddhist Center in Pallekelle from March 20 to March 21.

Many other international conferences and events are scheduled to be held this month being in keeping with the theme.