Sri Lanka to Host MICE Roadshows in Hyderabad & Bengaluru
Sri Lanka is rolling out the red carpet for Indian travellers once again, this time with a strong focus on the booming MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment. In collaboration with the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai, the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) is set to host two high-impact MICE Roadshows and Evening Networking Sessions in Hyderabad and Bengaluru during the first week of July 2025.
This initiative marks another strategic step in deepening Sri Lanka’s tourism outreach in India—one of its most vital and consistent source markets.
Two Cities, One Vision: Strengthening MICE Tourism
The roadshows are scheduled to take place on:
- July 1, 2025 – Taj Krishna Hotel, Hyderabad
- July 3, 2025 – Taj West End, Bengaluru
These immersive events are designed to showcase Sri Lanka’s dynamic offerings for business events, corporate getaways, and leisure travel—highlighting that the island nation is open, ready, and thriving for all types of tourism.
India: A Powerhouse Market for Sri Lanka
India remains Sri Lanka’s top tourist source, contributing 20% of total arrivals. Between January and May 2025 alone, over 204,000 Indian travellers visited Sri Lanka out of a total 1.02 million tourist arrivals. This positive trend also reflects in the revenue numbers, with tourism earnings crossing USD 1.54 billion in just the first six months of the year.
Seamless Connectivity Fuels Travel Demand
Travel between the two neighbours has never been easier. SriLankan Airlines currently operates 90 weekly flights, connecting Sri Lanka with nine Indian cities. IndiGo and Air India also provide daily services to Hyderabad and Bengaluru, ensuring swift and convenient travel for both business and leisure travellers.
Engaging the Indian Travel Ecosystem
Each event will feature a 20-member delegation comprising top tour operators and hoteliers from Sri Lanka. The objective? To directly engage Indian MICE tour operators, corporates, influencers, trade associations, and travel media, while building lasting industry connections.
Highlights of the roadshows will include:
- Dedicated B2B meetings
- Evening networking sessions
- Press conferences in both cities
- A vibrant Sri Lankan cultural performance that promises a taste of the island’s artistic heritage
These curated experiences aim to reinforce Sri Lanka’s position as a go-to destination for MICE travel, backed by warm hospitality, scenic backdrops, and world-class infrastructure.
Dheera Hettiarachchi, Chairman, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, stated, “Sri Lanka is an excellent MICE destination due to its proximity and strong connectivity, making it a cost-effective and appealing option for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. These roadshows will showcase Sri Lanka’s growth and help strengthen ties with India.”
Malkanthi Welikala, Manager – Marketing, SLCB, added, “The event highlights Sri Lanka’s growing MICE capabilities and top-class venues. It will also build momentum for the 5th Edition of the Sri Lanka MICE Expo, scheduled for 22–26 September 2025 in Colombo, where over 100 international buyers from 15 countries are expected.”
As the tourism industry rebounds, this initiative by the SLCB promises to drive deeper collaboration, visibility, and trust across borders—making Sri Lanka not just a holiday spot, but a business destination of choice.
