Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., India’s leading integrated travel and travel related financial services company, hosted an exclusive corporate event in collaboration with Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and SriLankan Airlines to harness the significant demand for MICE travel to Sri Lanka, across mid and large Indian corporates and SMEs.

According to data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka is emerging as a high potential incentive destination and corporate venue for employee incentive trips and business meetings, having witnessed an impressive growth of over 15% YOY, with over 233,000 MICE visitors from India in the past 6 years. Thomas Cook India’s internal research and consumer analysis reiterates the significant and growing opportunity of India’s corporate segment, with interest for Sri Lanka as a MICE destination having grown by 15-20% YOY over the last 3 years.

Hence, with a clear intent to leverage India’s MICE market, Thomas Cook India had partnered with Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and SriLankan Airlines for an exclusive corporate event, showcasing Sri Lanka’s diversity of unique engagements- from whale watching, spectacular wildlife, adventure safaris; adrenalin filled activities such as rock climbing, river rafting, hot air ballooning, kite surfing; team experiences like jungle camps and enhanced by Sri Lanka’s cosmopolitan and vibrant night life.

The exclusive, by-invite only corporate event, held at St. Regis in Mumbai, was graced by the crème de la crème of the corporate world and important dignitaries including Ms. Saroja Siresena, The Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai. A special invitee was the Sri Lankan-born Bollywood celebrity, Ms. Jacqueline Fernandez.

The evening commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head - Leisure Travel, MICE, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. Mr. Prema Cooray – Chairman Sri Lanka Convention Bureau then highlighted the exciting array of Sri Lanka’s MICE opportunities in his passionate presentation; followed by Mr. Ajith Dias – Chairman SriLankan Airlines. Mr. Chaminda Dias, Managing Director, LuxeAsia, Sri Lanka (a Thomas Cook India subsidiary), then detailed the on-ground MICE USPs offered by Destination Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Rajeev D. Kale, President & Country Head - Leisure Travel, MICE, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “Sri Lanka is an island nation steeped in history, with an exciting diversity of spectacular experiences, which coupled with its cultural heritage, engaging outdoor activities and culinary delights, make it a must-visit destination for MICE travellers.”

“Sri Lanka provides easy access (an under 5 hour flight) with early arrival/ late departure flights giving travellers additional time on ground. Additionally, its simple e-visa/ visa on arrival; wide range of accommodation- across boutique to deluxe options; MICE & convention facilities and gala-venues make it a much sought after short-haul MICE favourite.”

“The capital city of Colombo is great gateway with attractions including a heady night life and neat shopping outlets across price points; equally its array of hotel properties. New emerging locales include Hambantota, offer viable MICE opportunity with multiple accommodation and recreation options.”

He concluded by saying, “The MICE business at Thomas Cook India has been a powerful growth engine and our partnership with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau is hence a strategic initiative to tap into India’s high potential corporates to ensure strong impetus to MICE movements from India. This exclusive corporate event is but a first step towards a deeper corporate engagement: our holistic approach will include both product development-training and corporate outreaches to showcase the true potential of Destination Sri Lanka.”

Mr. Prema Cooray, Chairman Sri Lanka Convention Bureau said, “Sri Lanka is the latest venue for Meetings and Incentives. Sri Lanka offers both locations and products of diverse nature where visitors could gain a memorable experience and it is their word with which Sri Lanka has gained her name as a unique destination that cannot be matched by any competitor. We have uncountable locations from beaches, mountains, ancient cities, wild life and many more attractions which our competitors cannot match in terms of their authenticity. For Sri Lanka, India is the number one performing country with the highest number of MICE arrivals especially in the corporate meetings sector. Sri Lanka would offer very creative and ‘value for money’ propositions that suit the present day visitors who look for ‘experience’.”

Mr. Ajith Dias, Chairman, SriLankan Airlines said, “SriLankan Airlines is pleased to partner with Thomas Cook India and Sri Lanka Convention Bureau to explore opportunities to promote MICE travel to Sri Lanka. As the National Carrier that has a strong presence in India, providing convenient connectivity to Colombo out of 11 Indian destinations with over 100 flights a week, we enjoy a significant advantage to reach a wider corporate clientele. MICE tourism in Sri Lanka has seen a substantial growth over the years and with meaningful and timely collaborations such as these, we will continue to project the country as an ideal destination for corporate travellers.”

- www.indiainfoline.com