The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) has announced the Southern MICE Expo 2024, scheduled to run from May 27th to May 31st, 2024, in Bentota. This event aims to establish the Southern Region as a premier destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions & Events (MICE), providing an exceptional platform for global MICE agents and media professionals to explore its abundant potential. Organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism & Lands, the inaugural Southern MICE Expo 2024 promises to showcase the southern expanse of Sri Lanka as a hub for MICE activities.
Acknowledging India as Sri Lanka’s primary market, the SLCB is focused on enhancing its offerings to attract more Indian business event travellers to the neighbouring country. The recently organized Jaffna MICE Expo in November 2023 hosted 120 tour operators, MICE experts, and media professionals from South India to showcase products from the Northern Province and attract inbound business events from India. With China as the second-largest market followed by European countries, the SLCB is dedicated to enhancing its offerings to entice more international business events and corporate travellers.
Mr. Harin Fernando, Minister of Tourism & Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs, expressed pride in showcasing the Southern Province as a promising destination for MICE; Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions. The Ministry of Tourism and Lands, partnering with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, aims to spotlight the Southern Province as a promising destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions). In a rapidly evolving landscape of business events, the Southern MICE Expo 2024 aims to transcend mere convention, serving as a portal to unparalleled experiences that support local economies and leave a lasting impact on all stakeholders involved.
The expo will feature B2B meetings facilitating valuable connections between local MICE service providers—including hotels, venues, and operators—and visiting buyers. To encourage participation, the SLCB is offering subsidized packages to MICE operators and travel agents in Colombo, inviting them to explore the Southern Region and engage in the expo’s B2B sessions.
Mr. Thisum Jayasuriya, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, stressed the economic benefits of initiatives like the Jaffna MICE Expo and highlighted plans for a larger event in the southern part of Sri Lanka. He emphasized the region’s attractiveness to leisure tourists, coupled with unparalleled infrastructure and connectivity, presenting growth opportunities for the Sri Lankan economy.
Expanding beyond traditional MICE destinations, the SLCB aims to showcase Bentota, Weligama, Kandy, and Jaffna as new destinations capable of hosting small- and medium-sized business events of up to 400 delegates. This strategy extends to the incentive travel market, where the SLCB seeks to attract luxury corporates from India, China, and other source international markets beyond Colombo.
The primary objective of the SLCB is to curate an immersive experience that bolsters local businesses, engages with the community, and promotes sustainable growth. With unwavering support for foreign buyers seeking to explore the Southern Region for their future MICE events, the Southern MICE Expo 2024 endeavours to be a transformative force in the conventions and meetings landscape.
Building on the success of previous MICE expos, the Southern Region emerges as a promising hub for business tourism, with meticulous organization by the SLCB and support from the Ministry of Tourism and Lands.
The comprehensive four-day agenda includes an inaugural plenary session, a dynamic business forum, strategic B2B engagements, an elegant gala dinner, and an immersive tour showcasing the Southern Region’s attractions. Anticipating participation from 115 MICE buyers and media representatives from prominent international markets, the event promises invaluable networking opportunities and fruitful collaborations.
Interested parties can register as hosted buyers at www.srilankamiceexpo.com or contact +94 773 416 665 via call or WhatsApp for further information.
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