Sri Lanka To Make Strong Push At Gibtm In Abu Dhabi

March 9, 2009 - PRLog -- DUBAI: Sri Lanka plans to make a strong push to position itself as a key MICE destination in South Asia with a concerted marketing campaign at GIBTM 2009 in Abu Dhabi later this month.

The country which has attracted travelers from around the world for centuries showcased itself as a major destination for meetings when it hosted the Fifth Non-aligned Summit in 1976. “That was the first major event at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall which was the first purpose built convention centre in South Asia,” said Vipula Wanigasekara,  General Manager of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau. “The country has come a long way since then. More facilities have been added, and the industry has developed to a stage where professional local organization is available and programmes can be tailored to suit individual tastes, be they for small or large groups,” he added.

The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition is the main international event for the business travel and meetings industry (otherwise known as MICE) in the Gulf and Middle East region. The event is held concurrently with the Gulf Meetings Industry Week dedicated to the meetings sector and is expected to draw a large number of visitors.

“The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau is joining up with Sri Lankan Airlines to showcase the facilities in the country for both business travel and for leisure,” said Wanigasekera adding that they expected to join more than two hundred other exhibitors from around the world at GIBTM.

Outlining some of the incentives for business travelers, Wanigasekera said, “Sri Lanka offers a variety of activities that can challenge and bond a group, be it adventure, jungle trekking or simply having a water-fight in the warm blue sea. You can decide whether you want to stay in a straw covered hut among the lush rice paddies or relax in a seaside resort looking far out at the sea. Either way, you will have excellent comforts and a choice of gourmet food, to make your event a memorable one.”

Among the events hosted by Sri Lanka in 2008 were LAWASIA, the Annual Scientific Sessions of Anesthesiologists, IMEXPRO 2008, the Annual General Meeting of the Pacific Asia Travel Association – PATA and the 7th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting. Over the past three years the MICE industry accounted for over twelve percent of the country’s tourist inflow.

With just a five-hour drive from Colombo you could leave the gentle sea breeze behind and be among the country’s famed tea plantations in the cool hill country of central Sri Lanka. Having visited sites that have recorded the country’s history for thousands of years, you could be heading deep into the wilderness in an open four-wheel drive vehicle to view the magnificent elephants, leopards and peacocks.

“There are several companies that partner with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau offering professional services for staging conferences and exhibitions. Each meeting you have in Sri Lanka can be a different experience because there is so much variety,” said Wanigasekara.

“We are confident that despite the current downturn in the global economy, we will have great exposure and build some solid relationships in Abu Dhabi,” he said. The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition will be held from March 31 to April 2 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

For more information contact Kumudu Hennedige on +94 11 4865050 or kumuduslcb@sltnet.lk.

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About the SLCB: The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau is the Government arm functioning under the Ministry of Tourism for the development of the Meetings Industry in Sri Lanka, and its mission is to position Sri Lanka internationally as a unique venue for MICE activities and to receive optimum revenue from MICE tourism and make a positive contribution to Sri Lanka’s economy through the creation of employment thereby uplifting the living standards of those engaged directly and indirectly in the ‘ MICE Industry’ in Sri Lanka.