‘Preparing to make 2022 MICE ready’ webinar on boosting MICE tourism of Sri Lanka and India

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau organised a webinar on ‘Preparing to make 2022 MICE’ ready in line with the objective of setting forth MICE tourism in India and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has always shared a much cherished bond with India. However, with the global pandemic, both Sri Lanka and India were vastly affected. The tourism industry had a major hit as the world shut down. But all countries discovered a new normal and this virtual event helped to showcase how Sri Lanka and India are preparing to make 2022 MICE ready. Many pertinent topics related to MICE tourism were explored during the session.

The webinar was chaired by Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai Consul General Dr. Valsan Vethody. Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Vice President Jay Bhatia and Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Executive Committee Member and Head of Diplomats Sampath Damani represented the two leading Indian travel Associations. 

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) representation included SLCB General Manager Krishantha Fernando, SLCB Marketing Manager Malkanthi Welikala and SLCB Senior Manager Achini Dandunnage. SLAPCEO President Imran Hassan, THASL President Sanath Ukwatte and SriLankan Airlines Manager – Western India Ruwan Wijekoon also jointed representing Sri Lanka. 

Dr. Valsan Vethody in his opening remarks reflected on Sri Lanka’s ability to accommodate MICE Tourism with modern infrastructure and facilities of International Standard. He also pointed out that given the time, Sri Lanka has been able to originate an efficacious vaccination drive in order to adopt and house an energised MICE ready environment. With Sri Lanka’s long standing history of unforgettable hospitality, it is believed that Sri Lanka is READY to make its mark in the MICE sector.

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau General Manager Krishantha Fernando stressed on the bureau’s stance in making Sri Lanka Asia’s most sought-after MICE venue while emphasising Sri Lanka’s potential to anchor events with latest technology and infrastructure. 

Fernando also mentioned that while constantly corresponding with the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka was ready to host events coupled with leisure in Asia’s most unique, diverse, authentic and compact destination. He also remarked on the Virtual Fam Tour in collaboration with MICE stakeholders and the much-awaited Virtual MICE Expo 2021. 

SLCB Marketing Manager Malkanthi Welikala made a comprehensive and informative presentation of what Sri Lanka truly has to offer and its diversity. While portraying SLCB’s Marketing Plan for both rest of the year and the next year, Welikala explained the upcoming events including the Virtual Fam Tour and the Virtual MICE Expo (being the first of its kind in Sri Lanka), MICE promotions in India and four upcoming fam tours from India. 

SLAPCEO is the apex association representing the MICE industry and event management industry. SLAPCEO President Imran Hassan gave a brief description of how the two-decade-old association can help with coordination planners, organisers, incentive houses, DMCs, etc.  He also described their role to make a comfortable arrangement to small and large events that are to be housed with all COVID-19 protocols. While extending the SLAPCEO’s assistance to all MICE tourists from arrival to the departure, in all relevant departments, Hassan reminded the audience to include Sri Lanka in their upcoming plans.   

TAFI Executive Committee Member and Head of Diplomats Sampath Damani denoted that Sri Lanka, the land where many people’s dreams come true, was cherished as a friendly neighbour in finding a path to make 2022 MICE ready. He also focused on how Sri Lanka offers all and more that the MICE industry requires and is a one stop destination with world class convention centres, visitor friendly people and an honest and committed Government to provide infrastructure while being both a monetarily and timely worth location.

SLCB Senior Manager Achini Dandunnage briefed the audience regarding the COVID protocols for fully vaccinated, non-vaccinated and COVID recovered travellers with one dose. She also enlightened the viewers on visa procedures and quarantine regulations for the aforementioned groups of tourists.

SriLankan Airlines Manager – Western India Ruwan Wijekoon clarified on the MICE movement from India and Sri Lanka. He touched upon the connectivity of SriLankan Airlines in India across nine cities and 48 frequencies per week (as at October) which is to be further increased via commercial traffic. He further explained regarding direct office updates and availability of Business Class. 

It is also important to note that the Sri Lankan National Carrier recently received Diamond Status in the Health and Safety Audit following its Platinum Status claiming to be World’s Most Improved Airline in terms of Health and Safety. Finally, he reminded that all Indian Government recognised vaccines were accepted in Sri Lanka which makes it even convenient and less worrisome for travellers.  

Representing the hotel industry, THASL President Sanath Ukwatte focused on how THASL accommodates various MICE venues in addition to hotels including stadiums, theatres, ballrooms and banquet spaces. The availability of a plethora of 5-star hotels in Colombo and international standard convention centres even outside Colombo was then highlighted. 

Ukwatte added a few Indian outbound MICE market statistics to portray the viability of MICE tourism between India and Sri Lanka while making a special mention regarding Sri Lanka being an ideal location for destination weddings considering the cost effectiveness, air connectivity and being well equipped. 

Travel Agents Association of India Vice President Jay Bhatia while acknowledging the recent MOU signed with the SLAITO shed light upon few recommendations to make 2022 MICE ready such as incentivised programs around key tourist attractions because Sri Lanka is not just Colombo, and also to go beyond hotels and organise events curated around festivals while highlighting that India and Sri Lanka having a relationship as siblings could make a strong MICE industry viable in the near future. 

A Q&A session followed afterwards, where the participants enthusiastically participated in inquiring about direct air connectivity, tourism promotional events, familiarisation (fam) tours, details regarding visa procedure and post-COVID travel restrictions. 

The session was moderated by Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai Commercial Secretary Sandun Sameera.