The Southern MICE Expo 2024, organized by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) with support from the Ministry of Tourism, commenced on April 29, 2024, and is set to run from May 27 to May 31, 2024. This event aims to showcase Sri Lanka’s southern region as a top-tier destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions, and Events (MICE), with the goal of enhancing its status as a business tourism hub. The Southern MICE Expo 2024 offers an exclusive platform for international MICE agents and media representatives to discover the vast potential of the Southern region.
SLCB has extended invitations to 115 MICE buyers and media personnel from various global markets, including India, China, Pakistan, Germany, Russia, France, the UK, Turkey, UAE, Bangladesh, Qatar, Malaysia, Japan, Iran, and Singapore, among others. The expo features a range of networking opportunities such as business forums, B2B meetings, themed nights, and familiarization tours of the Southern region. It also encourages local vendors to forge partnerships with their international counterparts, fostering collaboration and business growth.
Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports, and Youth Affairs, Harin Fernando, emphasized the expo’s role in showcasing Sri Lanka’s unparalleled MICE experiences, supporting local economies, and creating lasting impressions on guests and event organizers. Thisum Jayasuriya, Chairman of the SLCB, highlighted the Southern region’s unique cultural heritage and coastal charm, positioning it as an ideal MICE destination with global appeal. Building on the success of past MICE Expos, SLCB continues to elevate the “MICE Expo” brand, aligning with its mandate to establish Sri Lanka as a premier MICE Destination, a concept that was initially introduced during the pandemic through the virtual MICE Expo in 2021.