SLCB empowers youth and hoteliers in northern region to be the next MICE hub

Student group photograph  

The Northern Region’s inaugural MICE Tourism training program for tourism students, organised by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, a division of the Ministry of Tourism and Lands, recently concluded successfully. In addition to the student training program, a MICE Tourism training program for hoteliers was also conducted.

These training sessions took place on 3 and 4 October at Thinnai Hotel in Jaffna and were attended by over 100 participants from the hotel industry and the student community.

The two-day event commenced with an opening remark by Research, Development and Training Manager Kumudu Hennedige at the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, and featured prominent speakers from the MICE industry, as well as academics from Jaffna University and SLITHM Jaffna.

The Hoteliers training program kicked off with a panel discussion involving General Managers of Jaffna Hotels and representatives from the regional tourism industry, professionals, and academics. The discussion centered on “The Current State of MICE Tourism in the Northern Region and New Trends” and was moderated by MICE Entrepreneur and Golden Isle Managing Director Paddy Paul. The panelists included Prof. S. Sivesan of the University of Jaffna, S. Karthigan of the Northern Province Tourism Association, Jaffna Thinnai Hotel General Manager Norman De Jonk and Jaffna Jetwing General Manager Nilanthi Wijesooriya.

The workshop featured presentations on “Reshaping MICE – Technology and HR” by Paddy Paul, “Client Expectations from Venue Providers” by Aitken Spence Travels Ltd. General Manager Ziyan Ameen and “The role of SLITHM in promoting MICE Tourism in the Northern Region” by Jaffna Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) lecturer Niranjala Alex. The event also included a practical working group session on “Experiential Marketing and Creating MICE Experiences,” where participants generated innovative MICE experiences that Jaffna could offer to MICE travelers.

The student-focused workshop emphasised MICE entrepreneurship development, career guidance, and an experience-sharing session by Jaffna Happy Market Founder Thuvaraka Prashanthan. Ameen addressed the students on the “Importance of Business Events and Handling Pre-event Elements.” Paddy Paul discussed “Reshaping MICE – Technology and HR.” Prof. S. Sivesan of the University of Jaffna, educated the students on “Developing Sustainable Events for the Region,” while Alex talked about the “Role of SLITHM in promoting MICE Tourism in the Northern Region.”

Both groups of participants received certificates issued by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau.

The final MICE training and educational session for the year 2023 organised by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau will be held in Nuwara Eliya on 1 November.

Panel discussion in progress

Q & A Session in progress