Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Kimarli Fernando, identified Sri Lanka Tourism’s MICE sector, which includes business meetings, conventions and weddings under the Bio Bubble opportunities that will boost the Lankan economy.
She said there are a lot of opportunities that can come about through this bio bubble for the tourism sector in keeping with the current situation of the global pandemic. “Sri Lanka is looking to be the first for the MICE Bubble concept in Asia, with strategic location, flight connectivity and the increased capacity will focus in this segment. While other destinations have a stronger
significant MICE business, Lanka has a lot of unique experiences to offer combined with a lot of leisure activities and facilities.”
The “Bio Bubble” is a way forward to the prosperity of tourism in the country, before Covid Lanka was one of the sought after destinations in theworld for themed and destination weddings, especially from India.
“It will follow the current health protocols, those arriving will be subjected to the guidelines and later transferred to the location of the meeting or wedding under the buddle, and if a change is requested it will be done within the bubble. The bio bubble was created to see that the
tourists don’t mingle with locals. We keep the tourists in a bubble and they operate within that space”, she said.
The high income and high profits are the common characteristics of the MICE travellers, who represent the upmarket and spend three to four times over average holidaymakers. Also, the tendency of generating repeat holidays with families and friends are higher. MICE visits lead to joint trade activities among countries and investment opportunities to the hosting
country. It is an industry that requires a large number of additional support services ranging from visa facilitation, tailor-made city/technical tours, venues, social events, opening ceremonies, Courier services, translators, interpreters, media, publicity, photograph, audiovisual
equipment, décor, delegate bags, protocol and much more.
Fernando said, “Currently we don’t have data for MICE travellers, but hereon will collect data using the latest technology through exit points.”
