Sri Lanka Emphasises on Event Tourism – How the Country’s Events Affect Tourism

Event tourism is a fast-growing industry, and it has the potential to increase visitor economy, attract media attention, drive infrastructure upgrades, and the likes when these are well-hosted. The main tourism goal of these events is to attract more tourists even during off-peak seasons, fostering a positive destination image by improving the infrastructure and tourism capacity of the destination, and serving as a catalyst for urban renewal.

At present, there is a strong link between the event industry and tourism. And over the last couple of decades, the events industry has made significant leaps; it is estimated, that by 2025, the MICE tourism market in the country will reach $285 million. Sri Lanka is the proud host of a number of intriguing festivals, most of which are of the religious kind; these include the Duruthu Perahera, Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festival, Esala Perahera in Kandy, Vesak Festival and more. Tourists who are based at bungalows in Sri Lanka that are offered by popular hotel chains such as Theme Resorts will definitely be able to witness at least a few of these festivals.