SriLankan offers total MICE solutions

Sri Lanka, which lured many early travellers with its breath-taking attractions, is today, emerging as one of the most exciting MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Conferences and Exhibitions) destinations in Asia.

SriLankan Airlines, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, is implementing a long term plan to enhance Sri Lanka’s profile as a MICE destination to achieve the ultimate goal of becoming a premier conference location in the Indian Ocean.

SriLankan Airlines Regional Manager Sri Lanka and the Maldives Saminda Perera said: “At SriLankan we have our very own MICE department which has extensive experience in organising meetings and conferences for international and local companies and associations. We can assist with every aspect of your business meeting and provide efficient and seamless service to the busy corporate traveller.”

SriLankan Airlines’ MICE department offers a range of benefits to conduct business in idyllic settings. The Airline works closely with local and international professional conference organisers and with Destination Management Companies (DMCs) to provide MICE tourists with truly unique experiences, organised meticulously with professional expertise. Tailor-made incentive trips are on offer, to create a perfectly relaxed disposition for work whilst capturing the spirit of island life.

SriLankan Airlines offers its MICE passengers a host of privileges ranging from discounted airfares for guest speakers, resource personnel and delegates; promotional support services; meet and greet services; special recognition on-board; professional advice on event venues; ground operators and hotel accommodation as well as assistance and information at all SriLankan offices network-wide.

The MICE department of the airline gets involved from the very outset and assists with planning and bidding for the event. Discounted air travel may be provided for site inspection visits and for marketing and promotional purposes. SriLankan MICE also offers total travel solutions comprising flights, hotel accommodation, conference/meeting facilities, transfers and tours, air freight allowances for promotional material, programs for accompanying persons and pre and post meeting tours.

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport  (MRIA) opened last month, combined with the Hambantota International Convention Centre, which is in its final stages of completion, will lead to greater opportunities for MICE events in the south of Sri Lanka. A flurry of MICE activity expected in this region will be facilitated by the regular flights operated by SriLankan and Mihin Lanka between BIA and MRIA.

SriLankan Airlines MICE promotions Manager Chantal Samarasinghe said: “This year, we hope to be involved with over 100 corporate events, which would be a clear indication of Sri Lanka’s rapidly expanding MICE industry and SriLankan’s commitment towards securing as many MICE passengers as possible. The airline is capitalising on the flourishing MICE industry and has already tied up with 40 events this year.”

Noteworthy upcoming MICE events that SriLankan is involved with in 2013, are the International Conference on computer science and education, the 42nd SKAL Asia Congress, the International Conference on Law and Justice, International Conference on Tourism and Hospitality, the International Conference on Energy and the Environment and the Nautical Institute’s International AGM.

These events will bring much credit to the country as an emerging business hub and MICE destination. Further to the above mentioned events, SriLankan Airlines has also been appointed as the official airline of the FDI/SLDA Dental Congress, organised by the Sri Lanka Dental  Association (SLDA) which is scheduled to be held in June this year, due to attract over 400 overseas delegates .

The MICE department of SriLankan Airlines was involved with many events last year, such as Expo Sri Lanka, the Asia Pacific Quality Conference, the South Asian Association of Physiologists Conference, the Asian Congress of Paediatric Infection Diseases and also organised the IATA Global Aviation Human Capital Summit.