Panel discussion participants

SLCB Manager Research, Development and Training welcomes participants

The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), an entity under the Finance, Economic Development, Policy Formulation, Planning and Tourism Ministry, successfully concluded the Cultural Triangle Hoteliers Training Programme on meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions (MICE) tourism recently, at Habarana Village by Cinnamon.  

This educational session was attended by 30 plus senior and middle-level hoteliers from 18 hotels in the Cultural Triangle region.

The event commenced with the opening remarks delivered by SLCB Manager Research, Development and Training Kumudu Hennedige.

The session featured prominent speakers, including Shyana Jayalath, who is a marketer, volunteer and communicator, along with C A Corporate Training Founder Chamindu Abeywickrama, Aitken Spence Conventions and Exhibitions General Manager Ziyan Ameen, Meta ASP Sri Lanka VP Client Success and Digital Marketing Association of Sri Lanka Secretary Udara Dharmasena and 3P Media Country Director and Google Media Representative Sri Lanka Gayathri Seneviratne.

A panel discussion was held featuring prominent industry experts, including Cultural Triangle Hoteliers Association Immediate Past President Saliya Dayananda, Jayalath, Heritance Kandalama Hotel General Manager Asela Wawita and Dharmasena. The session was moderated by Ameen. 

The panel discussed various topics, including the expectations of the Cultural Triangle hoteliers for the upcoming season, in light of the increasing tourist arrivals and contribution of the MICE, sports and general tourism segments to the region. They also explored the current trends in the event management sector, future of tourism with Gen Z’s focus on sustainability and community-based best practices and the need for technology in creating engaging event experiences, particularly in attracting a younger, tech-savvy audience.

This event also consisted of a practical working group session on ‘Identifying an event to position the Cultural Triangle as a MICE hub’. The participants came out with many interesting and creative MICE experiences that the Cultural Triangle can offer to the MICE traveller.

At the end of the training programme, all participants were presented with certificates of participation issued by the SLCB. 

The next MICE tourism educational session will be held on November 26 and 27, in Jaffna, targeting the hoteliers in the Northern region as well as the students who are following tourism, hospitality and event management degrees/courses in the Northern region.