Sri Lankan Airlines, together with the Sri Lankan convention bureau, local professional conference organisers and destination management organisers, were increasingly targeting India to increase MICE traffic to Sri Lanka, an airline release said.

"Our aim is to sell Sri Lanka as the ideal MICE destination which has modern facilities for holding MICE events and to offer an extended holiday in the island for Indian corporates," manager, Sri Lankan Airlines (India), J D Weiman said.

In 2003, Sri Lanka registered over 90,000 tourist arrivals from India, of which 15 per cent were MICE travellers. "We are currently targeting five per cent growth in MICE traffic every year," he added.

Value of money hotel rates, competitive airfares, shorter travel time and the absence of a visa requirement contributed to make Sri Lanka a competitive and attractive destination for MICE travellers from India.

The incentives for MICE travellers include group fares and discounts on individual fares, assistance at airports and conference venues, publicity and promotional support and extension to other Sri Lankan destinations through add-ons on ticket prices.

Sri Lankan airlines flies to 42 destinations in 23 countries across Europe, Middle East and Asia.