In view of the upcoming MICE Expo in Colombo, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow organized a networking session with MICE tour operators in Moscow. The event aimed to promote Sri Lanka's MICE opportunities and attract prospective partners to the Expo. The session featured a Q&A segment to address participant inquiries and foster interactive dialogue.

The gathering was attended by Mr. Nazarov Sergey Pavlovich, CEO of Trans-Show Tour Travel Company, Ms. Ekaterina Nyunina, Head of the Asian Department of China Tour, Mr. Smirnov Alexey Leonidovich, Director General Ms. Julia Gennadievna, Manager of LLC Santour, Ms. Sukhitskaya Irina Viktorovna, Specialist for Sri Lanka of LLC ''Maxima Travel Touroperator" and Ms. Viktoriya Efremova, Manager, Aeroclub Tour.
Addressing the participants, Ambassador Shobini Gunasekera highlighted Sri Lanka's potential as a MICE tourism destination, noting the availability of star-class hotels, modern infrastructure, and the renowned Sri Lankan hospitality culture. She encouraged tour operators to promote Sri Lanka as a wedding and sports destination—areas that Russian travelers have yet to fully explore.
Mr. Sanjeewa Bandara, First Secretary (Commercial), provided details on current visa concessions and flight connectivity as key advantages for MICE travelers. He noted that Russian visitors can obtain free visas for up to 30 days via an online platform, and 14 direct flights are available to Sri Lanka from October to May each year at reasonable rates.
In conclusion, Ambassador Gunasekera underscored the Embassy's commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector and to ensuring that Sri Lanka remains a competitive and attractive destination for Russian tour operators and their clients.