Sri Lanka is positioning itself as a stronger business events destination amid changing travel patterns in the region. Deputy tourism minister Ruwan Ranasinghe said the country is targeting more MICE events from India, using restrictions in the Middle East as an opportunity. These restrictions, particularly in Dubai, have affected business events that previously drew Indian delegates.
The transit disruptions have softened overall visitor numbers, especially from Europe. Total arrivals for this year are projected at 2.5 million, below the initial target of three million but up from 2.3 million in 2025. To capture this market, Sri Lanka will host the sixth edition of the Sri Lanka MICE Expo from October 5 to 9, 2026.
The expo will feature 104 international buyers from 24 countries, with Indian delegates making up 40 percent of attendees. Seventeen journalists from 11 countries are also expected. Malkanthi Welikala of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau noted that buyers were selected from 587 applications, prioritizing new entrants. She highlighted Sri Lanka's strategic location and free visa access for 40 countries as advantages.
SLCB chairman Dheera Hettiarachchi said business events visitors are projected to account for 11 percent of total arrivals by late 2026, up from five percent in 2024. The bureau has allocated 110 million rupees for this year's expo, up from 100 million last year. Ranasinghe added that the policy is to control numbers, not chase them, to preserve natural resources.
For travellers, this shift means more business events and potential pre- or post-event tours in Sri Lanka, which could offer new opportunities for regional travel. The country aims for a maximum of five million arrivals and US$10 billion in annual revenue by 2030, with a target daily spend of US$200.
