With Sri Lanka rapidly emerging as a high potential incentive destination and corporate venue, and witnessing India as a prominent tourism generator, including Corporate Meetings and Incentives, the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) in its efforts to promote MICE from India, had successful MICE promotions in Bangalore on 4 August in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Sri Lankan Airlines. This promotion was further to the successful events in Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai this year.

The promotions were held at Vivanta by Taj, M G Road, with activities included a morning session of one to one discussions with over 60 top corporate houses invited by CII who were present. Manoj Mathew, General Manager Vivanta by Taj and Manohar, Dean of ISBR, President – SAARC Friendship Society addressed the gathering on their wonderful travel experiences of Sri Lanka as a MICE destination.

Prema Cooray, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, too spoke on the countries advantage and pointed out on the statistics of the tourism growth path as well as India’s large contribution towards the same.  This was a fruitful interactive session sector which followed by Sri Lankan lunch.

The evening session began with industry one-to-one meetings where Sri Lankan Tour operators met with over 75 Indian tour operators. This successful session was graced by the presence of P.K. Mohan Kumar, Principal Advisor Ozone Hospitality, Board Director of Orange County Hotels & Resorts, former Area Director Taj Luxury Hotels, COO Taj Gateway Hotels and MD and CEO Ginger Hotels.

Cooray addressed the travel industry from Bangalore, explaining the vast diversity of Sri Lanka, and its specialty to attract tourist being a small country but exhibiting unmatched nature from rainforests to beautiful stretches of beaches right around the Island, the experiences of watching the largest mammals of the world – the elephants and the blue whales – within just a distance of two hours’ drive. As the special guest of the evening Mohankumar too ardently, addressed the gathering along with a presentation of Sri Lanka and his memorable experience which was greatly applauded.

Manimegalai, Area Manager for Karnataka, SriLankan Airlines, presented on the coverage of Sri Lanka’s National Carrier, SriLankan Airlines.

Along with vibrant Sri Lankan cultural dances, the evening featured cocktails and a Sri Lankan dinner. This was a successful promotion and well attended by the corporate as well as the travel trade.

This promotion is also extended by a Sri Lankan food festival organised by Vivanta by Taj, for 10 days.