Sri Lanka Convention Bureau successfully hosts MICE Roadshows in Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Chennai
MICE and Business Tourism accounts for approximately 10% of all arrivals from India
The Voice of Chandigarh | Travel Trade Reporter
The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, functioning under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, organized three impactful MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) Roadshows and Evening Networking Sessions in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Chennai. This initiative forms part of a focused effort to strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as a preferred MICE tourism destination in India, one of the country’s most important source markets.
The first roadshow was held at the Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad City Centre in Ahmedabad, followed by the Kolkata at the ITC Sonar. The third roadshow took place at the Pullman Chennai Anna Salai in Chennai. The invitees included MICE Specialists, Wedding Planners, Professional Conference Organizers and Corporate MICE Buyers.
India continues to be a leading source market for Sri Lanka tourism in both leisure and MICE tourism, offering immense growth opportunities. It has consistently maintained its position as the. According to statistics published by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, a total of 531,511 Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2025, representing 22% of the country’s total tourist arrivals. Sri Lanka also achieved a historic milestone in 2025 by recording the highest number of Indian tourist arrivals ever received by the country. In addition, Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings surpassed USD 3.2 billion during the year 2025.
MICE and business tourism accounts for approximately 10% of the total tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka and remains a significant sub-sector within the tourism industry.
From January to end-May 2026, Sri Lanka welcomed 1,010,807 tourists, of which 245,981 were from India. This positive trend reflects the growing demand for travel and the strong connectivity between the two neighbouring countries.
Travel between Sri Lanka and India remains highly convenient, with SriLankan Airlines operating 90 weekly flights connecting Sri Lanka with nine Indian cities. In addition, IndiGo and Air India operate daily flights to Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Chennai, ensuring seamless accessibility for both business and leisure travellers.
The roadshows showcased Sri Lanka’s diverse MICE and tourism offerings, reaffirming that the destination is fully open and prepared to welcome leisure, business, and corporate travellers. The events are specifically designed to engage MICE tour operators, media representatives, influencers, corporate leaders, trade associations, and other key stakeholders from the Indian travel industry.
A 24-member delegation comprising leading Sri Lankan tour operators and hoteliers participated in the initiative. The event highlighted the country’s diverse attractions, world-class Meeting infrastructure, hospitality, and unique experiences.
These Sri Lanka Tourism MICE promotions were structured to facilitate meaningful B2B (Business-to-Business) interactions and productive dialogue among industry stakeholders. Evening networking sessions will further strengthen professional relationships in a more informal setting. A performance by a Sri Lankan cultural troupe also provided a vibrant cultural showcase, highlighting the country’s rich heritage and traditions.
Mr. Dheera Hettiarachchi, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, stated, “Sri Lanka is an ideal MICE destination due to its close proximity and strong connectivity with India, making it a cost-effective and attractive choice for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. These MICE promotions will further showcase Sri Lanka’s growth and strengthen tourism and business ties between the two countries.”
