Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and Sri Lankan Airlines have recently confirmed their participation at China Incentives, Business Travel and Meetings Expo (CIBTM, www.cibtm.com), the leading trade show for meetings and events organisers, venue providers and incentive and business travel services in China and Asia.

In addition to this, key exhibiting partners including Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, Beyond Boundaries, Walkers Tours LTD, NKAR Travels & Tours Pvt Ltd, Golden Isle Travels (PVT) LTD, Butterflies Pvt. Ltd., Lanka Sportreizen, Delux Holidays Pvt Ltd, Jetwing, BMICH Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sunway Holidays and Asian Adventures have signed up to showcase their products to over 8,600 meetings industry professionals, who are expected to attend.

Jeffrey Xu, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Project Manager, CIBTM commented, "Following on from research conducted by Reed Travel Exhibitions, which confirmed that 73% on respondents who attended CIBTM were interested in placing business in new destinations, it is great to see so many new and exciting suppliers sign up to make the very most of the regional and international business opportunities which CIBTM can offer.

"Sri Lanka is fast emerging as a sought after, exotic and affordable destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions due to its central location in the Indian Ocean, which allows easy access from all parts of the world, as well as its legendary beaches, sunny climate and diverse attractions. Leading airlines now include Colombo as part of their regular schedule and the international and local hotels offer star-class accommodation, modern conference facilities and competitive packages for the meetings sector," concludes Xu.

Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) has recently released figures showing an increase in the country's MICE industry, with 11% of the total visitors to the country now representing meetings and events professionals in a business capacity. This figure is expected to grow by a further 5-10% annually, demonstrating the country's growing prominence within the industry.

Vipula Wanigasekera, General Manager, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau commented, "We have been increasing promotion of Sri Lanka as a tourism destination in China over the past few years and feel that now is the time to break into the MICE industry and CIBTM, as the largest meetings and events exhibition in China, is the perfect platform for us to do this. We hope that exhibiting at CIBTM will ignite interest from the hundreds of Chinese and international buyers attending the show in the unique and diverse incentives, meetings and events venues and services that Sri Lanka has to offer."

Companies interested in exhibiting at CIBTM 2013 (www.cibtm.com) should contact Simon Young by emailing simon.young@reedexpo.co.uk or by phone on +44 (0) 208 910 7070. Smaller companies intending to exhibit should also contact the CIBTM Sales team who will be able to put them in touch with the appropriate Convention Bureau or National Tourism Organisation.

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