With the dawn of permanent peace MICE arrivals have been increasing in Sri Lanka in the last 3 threes and they will continue to grow. Around 11 percent of the total visitors into Sri Lanka represent the (MICE) segment and currently it stands over 100,000 with a 5-10 increase annually.

Sri Lanka is not new to the industry. Government then hosted Non Aligned Conference way back in 1976 where 83 world leaders were in Sri Lanka . The next biggest conference is CHOGM happening this year which is again a state hosted event but Sri Lanka convention Bureau ( SLCB) is making a direct contribution in the sub committees.

The Mission of Sri Lanka convention Bureau is to Position Sri Lanka internationally as a recognized venue for Meetings and Events. Among many international conferences, Sri Lanka will host in this year are 22nd Working Meeting IUCN SSC Crocodile Specialist , 42nd SKAL Asia Pacific Congress

2nd International Conference on Engineering Mathematics and Physics, 2nd International Conference on Psychological Sciences and Behaviors – ICPSB, 2nd International Conference on Innovation, Trade and Economics - ICITE , International Symposium on Community Governance Colombo, Sri Lanka

1st International Conference on Bio-Diversity
Sri Lanka also won the bid to host Asian Youth Games that is coming to Sri Lanka in 2017. This would be the largest Sports events to be held in Sri Lanka. In the recent past Sri Lanka Sri Lanka has held quite number of reputed conferences including The 44th Annual Scientific Sessions & 8th South Asia Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SAFOG) Conference , Annual Conference of the Asian Pacific Stroke Organisation , 10th International Conference of the East & Southeast Asia Federation of Soil Science Societies, 6th Asian Congress of Pediatric Infectious decease , Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health ,IATA Global Aviation Summit and 21st Annual Congress & Scientific session of college of Ophthalmologist

Sri Lanka’s current tourism strategy is focusing more on Infrastructure, Product and attraction development and Investments. MICE sector also awaits infrastructure development and Government has taken a timely decision by embarking on two Convention Centres viz Hambantota and Another in Peliyagoda. This is in addition to the expansion of BMICH and the facilities available in City hotels for conferences will also help the industry. The potential for the growth of Exhibitions is also enormous with the existing facilities becoming full with bookings.

Sri Lanka’s real strength is in Corporate Meetings and Incentive Travel for the diversity of attractions and locations available in this country that cannot be easily matched by any other competitor. The diversity is so vast from beaches, to culture, Heritage, wild life, mountains that could be reached within a few hours of drive. The new products will further be added onto the Tourism plants and these include Boutique type themed products.

We have promoted Incentive travelers beyond beaches to tea plantations, waterfalls, Wild Life, Horse Riding, Fresh Water fishing , Adventure with team building and motivational programs. Kandy has also become a popular venue or at least a point which the incentive program touches including a visit to Botanical Garden and a game of Golf

Unique incentive programs covering diversity of locations are offered to Incentive Houses to differentiate incentive tour packages in Sri Lanka from that of her competitors. Most long haul Incentive travelers prefer to avoid Colombo and experience sandy beaches snorkeling, Scuba diving and skiing and now the wild life, Whale Watching, Spiritual Development etc.

Corporate meeting planners also opt to book venues in the Cultural Triangle, Galle and Several other locations in Sri Lanka. In all these locations, accommodation and meeting facilities are offered. There are also facilities for corporate training programs and natural settings for exclusive incentives.

SLCB is present at the IMEX with the industry to convey to all meeting and Incentive planners that Sri Lanka has now emerged as one of the best Incentive destinations and corporate venues for business meetings and we believe more in the world of mouth than any other communication tools.