Say “Ayubowan!”: Sri Lanka Convention Bureau MICE Roadshows wrap

Say “Ayubowan!”: Sri Lanka Convention Bureau MICE Roadshows wrap

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau’s (SLCB) Australian MICE Roadshow wrapped after the “wonder of Asia” showcased the best offerings for the season ahead.

“Sri Lanka, as you will have seen, is defined by its diversity, authenticity and compactness with a plethora of opportunities to delight one and all,” SLCB chairman Kumar De Silva said during his address in Sydney on Thursday, at the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau’s (SLCB) Australian MICE Roadshow.

De Silva’s comments came after two valuable B2B networking session on Tuesday and Thursday, hosted in Melbourne at the Park Hyatt and Sydney at the Four Seasons Hotel, which welcomed more than 20 exhibitors from hotels and tour companies in Sri Linka.

Sri Lanka MICE Roadshow

Sri Lanka MICE Roadshow

Sri Lanka MICE Roadshow

De Silva offered furthered insight into how “the wonder of Asia” is also proving to be a burgeoning MICE destination, thanks in no small part to growth in the Australian market – which represents the fifth largest in the world for inbound tourists to the destination.

“As a nation, in our DNA is to be warm, welcoming, gracious and service oriented, so to provide you and your customers a ‘wow’ experience with whichever program you choose to work with,” he added.

The country has demonstrated amazing resilience in the wake of the deadly Easter Sunday terror attacks to make a “remarkable” recovery and be “very much open for business”, according to Sri Lanka’s Minister for Tourism Development, John Amaratunga.

Thanks to its recovery efforts, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is projected to return to normal by the end of winter, as De Silva revealed, “quicker than expected”.

Building on this momentum, SLCB invited meeting and event planners, corporate travel experts and their clients to taste all that makes the island destination incredible, from its beautiful and unique venues, to its rich culture and delectable cuisine enjoyed at dinners that each opened with the ceremonial lighting of an oil lamp.

Sri Lanka MICE Roadshow

Sri Lanka MICE Roadshow

Sri Lanka MICE Roadshow

The roadshow series, which visited Melbourne on Tuesday 3 September, followed by Sydney on Thursday 5 September where it wrapped, offered attendees valuable B2B networking sessions with several Sri Lankan organisations, including SLCB and SriLankan Airlines.

Further travel suppliers from Sri Lanka were showcased alongside a captivating serenade of historic, Sri Lankan dance by performers.

Roadshow attendees also had the chance to win a stack of prizes thanks to a destination that is back in a big way.

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