Date:27/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/10/27/stories/2004102702201900.htm

Back `Meet in Sri Lanka' initiative launched

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , Oct. 26

EYEING the growing MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition) tourism opportunity, SriLankan Airlines joined hands with Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) to launch `Meet in Sri Lanka' initiative here on Monday.

As part of this initiative, the Lankan air carrier has started a dedicated MICE unit to promote the high-yielding market segment. The unit would work in tandem with SLCB and Professional Conference Organisers (PCO).

Mr Lal Talgaswatte, Manager (Western and Central India), SriLankan Airlines, said the carrier was gearing up to create a network in India to harness the huge MICE potential.

In the last few months, there were 150 MICE groups, nearly one-third of them being from Mumbai, which visited the island nation.

"We are looking at opening a couple of more destinations in India," he said. At present, SriLankan Airlines connected 10 destinations with a weekly flight frequency of 66.

"We will add 11 more flights shortly," he informed.

Mr Lal, along with Ms Shyana Wijayratne, Manager (Marketing and Promotions) of SLCB, was in the city to promote `Meet in Sri Lanka' initiative.

Sri Lanka pinned hopes on India, with the estimates for outbound tourism standing at 5.5 million this year.