Sri Lanka Convention BureauMICE PROMOTION 2019

MUMBAI 13TH NOVEMBER 2019 WEDNESDAY

PUNE 15TH NOVEMBER 2019 FRIDAY

SUBMITTED BY:

TRAC Representations (I) Pvt. Ltd.

M -2, Mezzanine Floor | Kanchenjunga Building | 18, Barakhamba Road New Delhi – 110001 | India

Tel: +91 11 23352550 | 23319804 | Fax: +91 11 23350270E-Mail: kg@tracrep.com | Website: www.tracrep.com

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CONTENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

EVENT FLOW

TRADE INTERACTION

TRADE INVITE

TRAVEL TRADE KIT

VENUE BRANDING

TRADE INTERACTION PICTURES

MEDIA COVERAGE

ATTANDEE LIST - THREE CITES

CONCLUSION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), organised MICE Promotion 2019 in Western India – Mumbai and Pune. The two events were part of the SLCB objective to promote and enhance MICE from the Indian Market.

The promotion was headed by Ms. Chamari Rodrigo,Consul General, Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Mumbai & Mrs. Malkanthi Welikala, Manager Marketing, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau.

The delegation was also joined in by the representatives of the Sri Lankan Airlines in each city as specified below:

Mumbai: Mr. Ruwan Wijekoon, Manager Western India

Pune : Mr. Loy Fernandes, Sales Manager Western India

Further the event got booster as there was a large delegation of nearly 15 Private Travel Entities following the mission:

Apple Holidays / Bernard Tours / Esna Holidays / Figo Holidays / Green Holidays / George Stuart Travels / Hamoos Travels / Jetwing Travels / Nawamini Travels / Nkar Travels & Tours / Rainforest Ecolodge / Royal Holidays / Sunway Holidays / Tropical Ceylon / Walkers Tours

The program curated had time for one on one meetings & interactions between the Sri Lankan Private sector as well as Indian Travel Companies, Corporates as well as Association Heads.

The senior members of the delegation had interactions with media as well as made presentations to the attendees, highlighting the MICE aspects of the destination and as special feature also highlighted the newly launched Lotus Tower – The tallest Tower in the South East Asia.

The events concluded well and were well attended by Senior Members of the Indian Travel Fraternity and were appreciated by the Sri Lankan participants.

The Kits were distributed at the end of the event at each city and media was also provided with the press releases and feature articles on Sri Lanka highlighting the importance of the MICE for destination Sri Lanka.

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PRESS RELEASE

 

 

 

Meet in Sri LankaSri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) conducts MICE promotions & interactions in

Mumbai & Pune All India | 15th November 2019: Sri Lanka emerges as prime outbound tourism destination for Indians and to further enhance the positioning Sri Lanka as a preferred MICE destination, SLCB showcases the MICE options & opportunities to Indian travel trade, PCOs and MICE organisers. Meet in Sri Lanka promotion organised by SLCB in collaboration with Sri Lanka Consulate General in Mumbai had major focus to attract Indian MICE market, through these exclusive events. Top of the line travel trade & MICE professionals attended the event as well as interacted with the SLCB team that consists of 15 companies from Sri Lanka, to understand the unique offerings for Indian travellers in Sri Lanka.

India has been an important market for Sri Lanka for developing MICE in terms of numbers, value and also connected services. The year 2018 saw 63,733 MICE arrivals in Sri Lanka as compared to 57,694 in 2017 and 53,510 in 2016. It is witnessed that there is an increasing trend of India MICE arrivals during the past years. Sri Lanka is growing as 'a destination for all seasons'! Overall the year 2018 saw a rapid increase with approximately 424,887 Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka, as compared to 384,628 arrivals in 2017 and 356,729 in 2016.

The country is a top-notch tourist destination and known as the Wonder of Asia for its long-preserved culture and heritage. Witnessing the growth and potential from India, SLCB has taken a step forward in consolidating their presence in the Indian market. The following initiatives were taken by Sri Lanka to attract MICE travelers from India.

Lotus Tower - State of the Art tower, which was recently made operational, is the tallest tower in South East Asia and houses a conference facility for 1000 people

Strengthen cooperation with large tour operators such as Thomas Cook, SOTC, Travel & Tours, FCM’s etc., who have large network of corporate working with them.

The Ramayana trail, an ancient Hindu literary epic of India properly marketed with the objective of bring in large numbers of Indian visitors for Sri Lanka. The most popular Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka developed with proper infrastructure facilities and printed a Brochure with site details.

Popularize Sri Lanka as fast-growing destination for weddings out of India.  There are number of groups of wedding planners were facilitated to visit Sri Lanka to make aware them.

As a Government arm of development MICE industry, SLCB organized industry participation at leading MICE trade exhibitions in India.  Ex: BLTM

Taken initiative to remove minimum hotel rates to facilitate MICE visitors. Simplify visa procedure – on arrival visa for Indian travellers  

Ms. Chamari Rodrigo, Consul General, Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Mumbai, who was present and leading the events in Mumbai & Pune, stated that, “Sri Lanka has been gaining immense popularity in India and has experienced a consistent growth over the period. She further added that cultural and regional similarities between India & Sri Lanka further make it easy to flourish tourism. ” 

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Sri Lankan MICE delegation visited Mumbai & Pune to explore these markets, and tap the travel agents to increase the flow of MICE business.

Adding to this Mrs. Malkanthi Welikala, Manager Marketing, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau mentions, “India is the largest & key source market for the development of MICE business to Sri Lanka. We have been extending our presence and our commitment to India markets. With our current mission we are targeting key markets of India like Mumbai & Pune. With extensive direct airlines connectivity of 121 flights per week from 11 stations in India to Sri Lanka and further complemented by SpiceJet, Indigo, Air India and now Vistara, Sri Lanka becomes an easily accessible destination for MICE from India. There is an existing strong cultural bond and cooperation between India & Sri Lanka, which makes Indian travellers feel at home while they are in Sri Lanka”.

About Sri Lanka:A landmark destination in the ancient Spice Trail, Sri Lanka is bursting with wonder. This tropical island is famous for its diverse landscape: from the blue seaside belt to green mountains, and the island's lavish greenery ranging from coconut palm groves to paddy fields and tea plantations, adorn by over 200 natural waterfalls. One must explore Sri Lanka's pristine beaches and visit the `Ramayana trail' sites, UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sigiriya and fascinating history of Dambulla. Be it family and leisure getaways, adventure and rejuvenation, Sri Lanka has all to explore.

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For more information please contact:Harshima Bakshi(Public Relations Executive)TRAC Representations (I) Pvt. Ltd. Tel. +91-11-233111289

 

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EVENT FLOW

13th November 2019 – Mumbai | St Regis – Pallazzio Hall

PROGRAM

Part A: Interaction with Select Media    15:30 Hrs  Registration for Media 16:00 Hrs  Introduce the officials attending the Media brief by MC  To be 

attended by the Officials from Sri Lanka Consulate General, Mumbai, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and SriLankan Airlines 

Followed by Quest & Answers 

   Part B: Networking Session    17:00 to 17:30 Hrs  Registration with light refreshments    17:30 to 20:00 Hrs  Business networking session    20:00 to 20:05Hrs  Lighting the Traditional Oil Lamp   20:05 to 20:15 Hrs  Opening Remarks by Ms. Chamari Rodrigo, Consul General, Sri 

Lanka Consulate in Mumbai    20:15 to 20:20 Hrs  SLCB MICE Video    20:20 to 20:25 Hrs   SLCB Presentation - By Manager Marketing, SLCB   20:25 to 20:30 Hrs  SriLankan Airlines Video Presentation    20:30 to 20:40 Hrs  Sharing experiences on MICE event organized in Sri Lanka by 

Mr. Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, The President, Hotel & Restaurant Association (Western India)

   20.40 to 20.45 Hrs  So Sri Lanka Video    20:45 to 20.55 Hrs  Sharing experiences on MICE event organized in Sri Lanka by 

Mr. Rahul Hublikar, Head Security & Crisis Management, Boehringer Ingelheim India Pvt Ltd in India

   20:55 to 21:00 Vote of thanks by MC   20.55 Onwards  Dinner & Networking

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15th November 2019 – Pune | Crowne Plaza – Level 1

PROGRAM

Part A: Interaction with Select Media    15:30 Hrs  Registration for Media 16:00 Hrs  Introduce the officials attending the Media brief by MC  To be 

attended by the Officials from Sri Lanka Consulate General, Mumbai, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and SriLankan Airlines 

Followed by Quest & Answers 

   Part B: Networking Session    17:00 to 17:30 Hrs  Registration with light refreshments    17:30 to 20:00 Hrs  Business networking session    20:00 to 20:05Hrs  Lighting the Traditional Oil Lamp   20:05 to 20:15 Hrs  Opening Remarks by Ms. Chamari Rodrigo, Consul General, Sri 

Lanka Consulate in Mumbai    20:15 to 20:20 Hrs  SLCB MICE Video    20:20 to 20:25 Hrs   SLCB Presentation - By Manager Marketing, SLCB   20:25 to 20:30 Hrs  SriLankan Airlines Video Presentation    20:30 to 20:40 Hrs  Sharing experiences on MICE event organized in Sri Lanka by  

Mrs. Anita Patil - President (Rotary Club - Shaniwarwada Pune) in India

   20.40 to 20.45 Hrs  So Sri Lanka Video    20:45 to 20:50 Vote of thanks by MC   20.50 Onwards  Dinner & Networking

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TRADE INTERACTION

Brief: Sri Lankan delegates met the Indian Travel companies, MICE agents & Corporates during the MICE Promotion and interacted with each other regarding the possible opportunities for promoting tourism to Sri Lanka from their market. Presentations were made by the Manager Marketing Mrs. Malkanthi Welikala - Sri Lanka Convention Bureau. One on one interaction was done with Indian companies participated and conversed with the delegation from Sri Lanka.

INVITES FOR MUMBAI

TRAC designed e-invite to prominent and potential MICE travel agents and Corporate.

Mumbai Invite for Travel Trade & Corporate

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Mumbai Invite for Media

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INVITES FOR PUNE

TRAC designed e-invite to prominent and potential MICE travel agents and Corporate.

Pune Invite for Travel Trade & Corporate

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Pune Invite for Media

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TRAVEL TRADE KIT

We provided kits with promotional materials to each travel trade attendees. The kit included following items:

Meet in Sri Lanka meeting planner Brochure Coasters Meet in Sri Lanka USB Tea Bags

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VENUE BRANDING - MUMBAI

TRAC designed, print and mount 1 backdrop and 6 standing banners at the event venue for venue branding.

Backdrop

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Standing Banners

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VENUE BRANDING - Pune

TRAC designed, print and mount 1 backdrop and 6 standing banners at the event venue for venue branding.

Backdrop

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Standing Banners

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TRADE INTERACTION PICTURESMUMBAI

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TRADE INTERACTION PICTURESPUNE

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MEDIA COVERAGE

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ATTENDEES LISTMUMBAI

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ATTENDEES LISTPUNE

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CONCLUSION

Three cities Sri Lanka MICE promotion 2019 drew a good

response from the Indian Travel Trade and also received

visibility amongst the media. The travel interaction showed

positive response from the participants, Sri Lanka and the Indian

travel agents. The discussion carried forward are looking good

to generate positive response to destination Sri Lanka from all

three cities leading to higher number of arrivals.

Sri Lanka got visibility from MICE agent in various mainline

prominent media in print as well as online. The coverage

attached in the report are of the media that has already been

reported till now.

The local Indian travel trade very much appreciated this event

and informed that this activity will help them to promote

destination Sri Lanka and its diverse product offering. This event

helped to enhance product knowledge among Indian travel trade

members and offered opportunity to discuss business

opportunity directly with Sri Lankan private trade delegation

members.

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THANK YOU

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TRAC Representations (I) Pvt. Ltd.M -2, Mezzanine Floor | Kanchenjunga Building | 18, Barakhamba Road

New Delhi – 110001 | IndiaTel: +91 11 23352550 | 23319804 | Fax: +91 11 23350270

E-Mail: kg@tracrep.com | Website: www.tracrep.com

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