Sri Lanka Enhances Indian MICE Ties with Exclusive Networking Event in Bengaluru

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), operating under the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, successfully hosted a MICE Roadshow and press conference at the TAJ Westend in Bengaluru on July 3, 2025. This event marks a key step in Sri Lanka’s strategy to establish itself as a leading destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions.

The event attracted strong participation from prominent Indian MICE planners, corporate travel experts, and travel trade partners. A notable Sri Lankan delegation, comprising officials from SLCB, 20 Destination Management Companies (both leisure and MICE specialists), leading hotels and resorts, tour operators, and other service providers, engaged in productive networking with attendees and media representatives.

The primary aim was to strengthen the existing ties between Sri Lanka and India, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships within the growing tourism and MICE sectors. Indian visitors continue to play a significant role in Sri Lanka’s tourism growth, with 204,060 Indian tourists arriving between January and May 2025, highlighting India as a vital market.

The roadshow aimed to establish a strong Sri Lankan brand presence in India, particularly in Bengaluru, to attract more travellers. By showcasing the country’s diverse tourism attractions and upgraded MICE infrastructure, the event reinforced Sri Lanka’s image as a year-round, world-class MICE destination. This aligns with Sri Lanka’s broader promotional efforts to expand its reach among Indian travellers, leveraging India’s status as one of its largest markets.

Harsha Ruparathne, Acting Deputy High Commissioner, Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai, India commented, “Sri Lanka is widely recognised as an exciting and diverse holiday destination by all global visitors and now it is a most sought-after venue for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions.  With India’s economy on an upward trajectory, Sri Lanka stands to benefit immensely by integrating into India’s growth story through joint ventures, increased exports and deeper economic linkages through tourism, etc.  Therefore, we welcome Indian travellers to visit Sri Lanka to revitalise its economy for shared prosperity as its closest neighbour.”

Dheera Hettiarachchi, Chairman, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, added,“Sri Lanka is an excellent MICE destination due to its proximity and strong connectivity, making it a cost-effective and appealing option for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. These roadshows will showcase Sri Lanka’s growth and help strengthen ties with India. India continues to be a top priority source market for Sri Lanka’s MICE sector. Events like these allow us to forge meaningful collaborations with Indian travel leaders.”

Fawzan Fareid, Regional Manager India, Bangladesh & Nepal, SriLankan Airlines, also commented, “MICE movement out of India is a goldmine contributing nearly 15–20 per cent of the total outbound leisure travel market. We’ve observed a strong upward trend in MICE travel from India to Sri Lanka with a growth of over 30 per cent in recent months. At SriLankan Airlines we’re extremely excited to partner with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau to double MICE arrivals to Sri Lanka. Series of Road Shows across key Indian cities will undoubtedly boost our efforts and reinforce Sri Lanka’s position as a leading MICE destination in the region.”

The networking evening was a resounding success, providing an excellent platform for direct engagement between Sri Lankan tourism partners and Indian MICE planners, corporate travel specialists, and trade representatives. Attendees received updates on infrastructure developments, attractive incentives, and streamlined travel arrangements designed to enhance the MICE experience in Sri Lanka.

This roadshow represents a significant milestone in the SLCB’s ongoing efforts to expand its presence in the lucrative Indian outbound MICE market. With increasing air connectivity and shared cultural ties, Sri Lanka is well-positioned to become a premier MICE partner for Indian corporates and event planners.