Sri Lanka’s Southern MICE Expo 2024, with the objective to highlight the opportunities and advantages of the country’s southern region as a MICE destination, is scheduled to take place from May 27 to 31.

This was announced by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), the organisers of Southern MICE Expo 2024 at a press conference held in Colombo on Wednesday. In a press statement, SLCB says that it has partnered with the Ministry of Tourism and Lands to organise the event in order to position the nation’s southern region as the primer destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions and Events (MICE).

The event aims to elevate the region’s appeal as the hub for business tourism, SLCB says, adding that Southern MICE Expo 2024 will provide a unique platform for international MICE agents and media to explore the vast potential of the Southern region.

SLCB says it has invited 115 MICE buyers from various international markets, including India, China, Pakistan, Germany, Russia, France, the UK, Turkey, UAE, Bangladesh, Qatar, Malaysia, Japan, Iran and Singapore.

The statement adds that the event will provide an exceptional networking opportunity, including business forum, B2B, theme night and the familiarisation tour of the Southern region.

Southern MICE Expo will provide an opportunity to local vendors to establish partnerships with their foreign counterparts. Accordingly, a subsidised participation package rate will be offered to the local participants.

Harin Fernando

“We take pride in supporting the SLCB as it works to showcase Sri Lanka’s amazing Southern Province as a promising destination for MICE tourism. In a world where business events are dynamic, Southern MICE Expo 2024 aspires to bring stakeholders together and serve as a gateway to unparalleled MICE experiences in Sri Lanka, supporting local economies and leaving a lasting impact on guests and event hosts,” says Harin Fernando, Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs.

HMBP Herath

“Southern MICE Expo 2024 will help to uplift the economy and become a catalyst for positive change. It will help the MICE tourism market see value in Sri Lanka as an accessible and affordable MICE destination, complemented by a unique culture and history, plenty of natural beauty, and a choice of novel experiences. I trust that Southern MICE Expo 2024 will be an excellent platform for local and foreign tourism service providers to connect, network, grow together and showcase what Sri Lanka has to offer MICE travellers as a destination,” says HMBP Herath, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Lands.

Thisum Jayasuriya

“The Southern Region, with its distinctive blend of vibrant culture and coastal beauty, provides an idyllic MICE destination, with immense potential to reach the world through people’s social media feeds. Additionally, with sustainability being at the core of what we do, our focus lies in uplifting local economies and leaving a lasting and prosperous impact on local businesses. Accordingly, we have started hosting expos in various parts of the island not only to highlight that particular region but also to facilitate uplifting local economies. We are moving away from the traditional way of doing things and offering more immersive experiences that include local businesses and communities. The SLCB thus extends a warm invitation and its fullest support to any international agent who is interested in participating in this event,” says Thisum Jayasuriya, Chairman, SLCB.

Based on the success of the previous MICE Expos, SLCB is naturing the brand “MICE Expo” in line with the SLCB mandate to position Sri Lanka as the premier MICE Destination. The initial concept was launched in 2021 as the virtual MICE Expo during the global pandemic. This was followed by in-person MICE Expo Colombo Edition as well as Northern MICE Expo 2023. Going forward, SLCB intends to capture the global MICE tourism market, through MICE Expo events in other regions such as the Central Highlands and the Cultural Triangle, says SLCB.