Sri Lanka promotes MICE tourism for potential stakeholders in Dhaka

In the `Evening of MICE Promotion’ Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Professor Sudharshan Seneviratne highlighted the emergence of Bangladesh as a key target market in the South Asian region with its palpable presence.

He said, Bangladesh has proven its self-determination, economic development and resilience within a very limited time frame while broadening its horizons especially in the fields of trade, investment and tourism.

He also said, 50 years of reflection of the two nations will undoubtedly maximize its collective potential in the coming years and the `Evening of MICE Promotion’ will be the first of many in unleashing centuries of solidarity and fraternal ties between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The event was held on 1 September at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Dhaka Bangladesh. The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) in collaboration with the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Bangladesh and SriLankan Airlines convened the program. The event included a Media Briefing, Business Match Making Program between the Sri Lankan Delegation and the invited Bangladesh MICE buyers, followed by a Business Forum and Dinner Reception held at the High Commission premises. 

The main objective of this exclusive event was the positioning of Sri Lanka as a preferred MICE Destination and showcasing the opportunities to Bangladesh Travel Trade, Professional Conference Organizers (PCO) and MICE organizations.

More than 80 participants from Bangladesh representing Outbound MICE Agents, Corporates, Association Heads and Incentive Houses and 12 Sri Lankan MICE Industry Companies, the National Flag Carrier SriLankan Airlines and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) collaborated and engaged in exploring the MICE industry potential of the two countries.

The Association of Travel Agents Bangladesh (ATAB), The Bangladesh Outbound Tour Operators Association (BOTOA), The Tour Operators Association in Bangladesh (TOAB) and the Bangladesh Travel Writers Association (BDTWA) were also partnered with the High Commission of Sri Lanka in organizing the event.

Chairman Sri Lanka Convention Bureau Thisum Jayasuriya said, Bangladesh is a key source market in the South Asian Region for MICE and has shown a positive trend in its increase in the MICE traffic over the past years. The SriLankan Airlines direct air connectivity has positively encouraged to develop the sector. Sri Lanka is working towards catering to the Bangladesh MICE visitors in coordination with the Sri Lankan MICE stakeholders to sustain and increase the volume of Business by adding special experiential features.

In addressing the gathering, Manager SriLankan Airlines in Bangladesh Sharuka Wickrama Adittiya said, SriLankan Airlines will endeavor to provide its best services from departure to the inflight experience and return journey to all its passengers, which will be especially extended to the MICE groups along with a warm welcome on board Sri Lanka’s national carrier. SriLankan Airlines presently operates daily flights on the Colombo-Dhaka sector being an added advantage for all travellers.

Both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh hold great fortitude in sectoral cooperation particularly in the areas of tourism, trade and commerce, shipping and people to people contact whilst being significant members of SAARC, BIMSTEC and the Commonwealth of Nations. Sri Lanka shares a great deal of comfort in doing business with Bangladesh and has been able to maintain a symbiotic relationship which entails the future growth of both countries.

This year, the two countries are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations and together will forge ahead in friendship and solidarity.

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB):

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) functions under the Ministry of Tourism and Lands of Sri Lanka. The main mandate of the Bureau is to promote MICE tourism and thereby increase the Sri Lanka’s destination appeal in international markets as a preferred destination for MICE.  

SLCB identified Bangladesh as an important market within the South Asian (SAARC) Region. As per the outbound travel trends in Bangladesh, it was projected that there have been approximately 2.6 million trips in 2021.

About Sri Lanka:

A landmark destination in the ancient Spice Trail, Sri Lanka is bursting with wonder. This tropical island is famous for its diverse landscape: from the blue seaside belt to green mountains, and the island's lavish greenery ranging from coconut palm groves to paddy fields and tea plantations, adorned by over 200 natural waterfalls. One must explore Sri Lanka's pristine beaches and visit the `Ramayana trail' sites, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya and the fascinating history of Dambulla. Be it family and leisure getaways, adventure and rejuvenation, Sri Lanka has so much to explore.