Sri Lanka’s inaugural Virtual MICE Expo organised by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition and Event Organisers (SLAPCEO) will be held from 1 to 3 December.
Speaking at a Media briefing at the official launch of the event, Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson, Kimarli Fernando said the proposed event consists of a virtual exhibition, interactive webinars, business forums and engaging experiences to showcase what Sri Lanka can offer for MICE and Business events travellers. Local sellers representing the Sri Lankan meetings and events industry will exhibit their products and services at the event.
“We expect around 100 buyers for the event, but at the moment have around 300 registered, 40% of them from India,” she said.
Fernando said, Sri Lanka is 62% vaccinated, and it has included the tourism industry along with the health industry for booster shots. Sri Lanka is the only country so far to include the tourism sector for the booster shot.
Fernando added that Sri Lanka is the first country to introduce the bio bubble concept in January 2021. “Several countries copied our bio bubble concept. They contacted me and asked for guidelines, which I gladly gave them. As a result of pioneering the bio bubble concept, Sri Lankan representatives were one among the two countries which were asked to speak at the World Travel Market event.
With the successful vaccination drive, foreigners who are fully vaccinated and have a PCR Report before boarding can just go to any place in Sri Lanka as they did in the pre-COVID period. However, if they are not vaccinated, they have to follow the bio-bubble concept. “
Fernando added that Sri Lanka is one of the best MICE destinations in the world, as MICE tourism is currently integrated with other tourist activities. “Sri Lanka with its sandy beaches, hill stations and cultural centre, has even more to offer compared to the world’s top MICE tourism destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai.
“Sri Lanka has world class wedding planners and event managers, and I recommend them to utilise this to network with regional companies,” she said.
Sri Lanka Travel Feneteko