MICE tourism gets spotlight in Budget 2016
View(s):The Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry has got a major focus in this year’s budget which has proposed to construct the largest capacity conference facility in Colombo.While plans are still being worked out on the proposed conference facility the key government body the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) General Manager Vipula Wanigasekara said in an interview with the Business Times that the government had understood the need for more focus and welcomed the move.
He pointed out that the land in Colombo belonging to the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was to be used in this regard.The SLCB had provided authorities with the relevant information for the proposal with prerequisites for the convention centre at a cost of Rs. 3 billion.
The proposal called for the basics like parking space, committee rooms, a convertible facility, banquet halls and if possible with accommodation for a capacity of 200 rooms and catering.
Mr. Wanigasekara pointed out that this would allow them to start bidding for various conventions around Asia.Commenting on the budget proposal to have a network of conference facilities with BMICH, Nelum Pokuna and the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC), he said that the modalities woud be worked out.However, he noted that with Nelum Pokuna not a purpose-built convention centre it could be used for opening/closing and plenary sessions.
A purpose-built conference facility was required to conduct a proper conference, Mr. Wanigasekara explained. He pointed out that on the other hand the SLECC hall was small whereas the BMICH had its own committee rooms and a separate exhibition facility.In addition, he explained that the conference and exhibitions have to be marketed in a different manner adding that MICE in itself though was considered an extension of the tourism industry it was an industry in its own right.
In fact, Mr. Wanigasekara explained that in the different segments within MICE, each component called for a different strategy to be adopted in marketing these.The previous week, the GM said he participated at an incentives’ fair that solely dedicated to attracting this segment of the MICE industry.On the other hand, in tapping the Indian market they would have to concentrate on the corporate sector to attract corporate meetings to Colombo which was another specialised area.
Apart from these main venues, each hotel also has a convention facility that should be considered and in this regard, it was asserted there was pressure to market these hotels for conferences as well.Currently, bidding for the conventions were carried out by the state run bureau and the associations but in other countries it was noted these would be carried out by a single professional body and this too needs to be worked out in the future, it was stated.The MICE industry had generated approximately US$400 million in revenue in 2014 with the conduct of about 68 conferences.