Incentive travel gathers momentum at IMEX Frankfurt for SLCB

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) which is the sole government body to promote MICE tourism to Sri Lanka took part in the biggest MICE trade fair in Europe, IMEX Frankfurt 2018 in May in Germany to entice the upscale clients in to the country and this is a direct approach to bring in MICE travellers from Europe to Sri Lanka.

Amongst overall total attendees of nearly 9,000 at IMEX this year almost 3,500 were hosted buyers from 150 countries. Around one third of these hosted buyers came from long haul markets particularly Brazil, Russia, China, India and Mexico together with North America and the Middle East. Over 14,000 industry professionals gathered over three days, over 4,900 trade visitors from 90 countries and this event has created 67,000 pre-scheduled appointments.

SLCB had over 30 meetings with potential buyers, associations and the media and presented the facilities for promoting of MICE in Sri Lanka.

The interest to use Sri Lanka for their next meetings, Congress was received from USA, Australia and the UK for 2020-2022. There was strong interest from Australia for incentive and meetings in Sri Lanka given the direct air link that Sri Lankan airlines operate to Melbourne.

SLCB also made five group presentations for around 100 participants in a specially designed area at the stand to highlight the diversity, authenticity that Sri Lanka has to offer for the MICE traveller and was attended by Marriot – Turkey, IHG: Latin America, Melia Portugal, Movenpick hotels: Asia and Euromic Europe.

Five Sri Lankan Industry members – Connaissance de Ceylan, Walkers Tours, Nkar Travels, Jetwing Events and Sri Lanka Express participated and concluded nearly 90 meetings during the event and promoted the range of MICE facilities and options in Sri Lanka.