Pakistan - promising market for Sri Lanka's MICE industry

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau together with SriLankan Airlines and the industry members conducted a MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conferences and Exhibitions) promotion in Karachi recently which was attended by over 100 potential MICE buyers in Pakistan.

The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Chairman Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) Haniffa Ishak and included General Manager SLCB Vipula Wanigasekera and Director General BMICH Bandhula Ekanayake with Sri Lankan Country Manager Tony Thalayaratne joining in Karachi. Sri Lankan MICE industry members who joined the promotion were Padmi Fernando, Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, Dilshad Sadiq, John Keells group, Zainoor Adahan, Connaissance Holdings, Arjun Dharmadasa and Imran Hassen, Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services, Shafath Amidon, NKAR Travels and Tours, Eranka Saparamadu, ACE Conventions and Travels, Pandula Weerakoon, Oceanview Resorts, and Gemunu Amarasinghe, Jetwing group.

The promotion included presentations by SLCB and Srilankan Airlines followed by interactive sessions for the members of the delegation to meet and establish business contacts with Pakistan counter parts. The programme also enabled the members to make prior appointments with potential clients and have discussions before and after the promotion.

The SLCB says that Pakistan MICE tourism into Sri Lanka will grow over 8% every year with Sri Lanka becoming value for money destination for Pakistan MICE visitors.