The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) in collaboration with the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Bangladesh recently organised an interactive webinar in line with the objective of setting forth MICE tourism in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka continued a special relationship. All countries, particularly those in South Asia, have been severely affected by the global pandemic. As the world shutdown, the tourism industry had a tremendous impact across the board. The webinar demonstrated how Sri Lanka and Bangladesh plan to lead the way in terms of MICE tourism. During the discussion, many important topics relating to MICE tourism were discussed.
The webinar was chaired by Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Bangladesh Prof. Sudharshan D.S. Seneviratne, and Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh President M.D. Rafeuzzaman and Bangladesh Travel Writers Association President Ashrafuz Zaman Uzzal, participated from Bangladesh side. SLCB representation included General Manager Krishantha Fernando, Manager – Marketing Malkanthi Welikala, Senior Manager Achini Dandunnage. The industry representatives included SLAPCEO President Imran Hassan, BMICH Director/Chief Executive Sunil Dissanayake, THASL CEO Amal Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SLBCCI) President Najith Meewanage, and SriLankan Airlines Manager – Bangladesh Sharuka Wickrama Adittiya.
Prof. Seneviratne in his opening remarks, while welcoming the panelists on board for an interactive webinar, reflected on Sri Lanka and Bangladesh reaching the milestone of 50 years of friendship and solidarity. The connectivity and relationship among Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have grown immensely, he said. Professor Seneviratne also touched upon the topic of Preferential Trade Agreements and the significance of bringing a MICE aspect to tourism and investments.
SLCB GM Krishantha Fernando emphasised the Bureau’s commitment to making Sri Lanka Asia’s most sought-after MICE destination, highlighting the country’s ability to host events of any magnitude with cutting-edge technology and infrastructure. He further stated that, after working closely with the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka is now prepared to host “your next business meeting or leisure activity in Asia’s most distinctive, diversified, authentic location”.
He went on to highlight Sri Lanka’s ability to host MICE tourism with contemporary architecture and international-standard facilities. He also noted that, given the constraints of time, Sri Lanka was able to launch an effective vaccination drive in order to adopt and host a MICE-ready environment. “Sri Lanka is ready to make its mark in the MICE sector, while being a safe destination for the next big event with the logistics and infrastructure,” he added.
SLCB Marketing Manager Malkanthi Welikala, presented about Sri Lanka’s diversity and what it has to offer. She explained the planned activities, including familiarisation tours, the Virtual MICE Expo (the first of its kind in Sri Lanka), MICE exhibitions and also advertising space available for stakeholders, while illustrating SLCB’s marketing plan for the rest of the year and next year.
Imran Hassan, who heads up SLAPCEO, the apex organisation representing the MICE and event management industries, gave a brief overview of how the two-decade-old organisation may assist coordination planners, organisers, incentive houses, DMCs, and other service providers. He also mentioned their role in arranging for small and large events to be housed with all COVID-19 protocols, in a comfortable manner. He reminded the audience to include Sri Lanka in their upcoming plans while emphasising SLAPCEO’s services to all MICE tourists from arrival to departure.
Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh President Rafeuzzaman, drew attention to the many similarities between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka while extending an open invitation to actively participate in taking MICE tourism to the next level.
BMICH Director Sunil Dissanayake portrayed the history of the BMICH and the renowned global events that have been hosted in the premises since 1945. While discussing the BMICH’s vast capacity to hold events, he recalled the memories of the BMICH’s multiple global awards, including South Asia’s Best status.
SriLankan Airlines Manager – Bangladesh Sharuka Wickrama Adittiya, clarified on the MICE Movement from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. He touched upon the connectivity of SriLankan Airlines in Bangladesh.
It is also important to note that the Sri Lankan national carrier recently received the Diamond Status in the Health and Safety Audit following its Platinum Status, claiming to be the world’s most improved airline in terms of health and safety.
THASL CEO Goonethileke, who represented the hotel industry, spoke about how the Hoteliers Association of Sri Lanka accommodates numerous MICE venues, including stadiums, theatres, ballrooms and banquet spaces, in addition to hotels, as well as the availability of a multitude of event spaces in Colombo, as well as outside of Colombo. Goonethilake highlighted the potential of MICE tourism between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, showcasing Sri Lanka as an ideal site for destination weddings, conventions, exhibitions and other post-COVID travel requirements.
SLBCCI President Meewanage demonstrated the importance of developing MICE tourism between the two countries and also stated the involvement of the Chamber of Commerce in facilitating a MICE friendly atmosphere between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Towards the end of the webinar, Ashrafuz Zaman Uzzal expressed the travel writers’ love for Sri Lanka with an interesting anecdote.
SLCB Senior Manager Achini Dandunnage, presented the COVID protocols for fully vaccinated, non-vaccinated, and COVID recovered passengers with one dosage to the audience. She also provided viewers with information on visa procedures and quarantine requirements for the aforementioned tourist groups.
Following that, the participants have been requested to connect with SLCB and the Sri Lanka High Commission in Bangladesh for any inquiries and information with regard to the MICE tourism. Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka High Commission in Bangladesh Ruwanthi Delpitiya moderated the discussion.
