Sri Lanka to attract French tourists at IFTM Top Resa in Paris
Daily FT: Sri Lanka will participate at the International French Travel Mart (IFTM) Top Resa, the leading multi-segment trade show.
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga-led top-level delegation arrived in Paris yesterday to participate at the four-day travel mart, after a one-year break from physical engagement at global trade fairs.
Ahead of the winter season, Sri Lanka will make a fresh effort to woo tourists from its traditional markets.
Ranatunga is also scheduled to hold discussions with the French Tourism Minister and Air France officials to promote tourism.
National Carrier SriLankan Airlines will launch direct flights from 31 October, while Air France will start from 1 November, where both airlines will operate thrice weekly flights between Colombo and Paris.
Minister Ranatunga will also meet French and Sri Lankan businessmen on exploring and furthering investment opportunities in the country.
Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando, a member of the Tourism Advisory Committee and the official handling the France market at Sri Lanka Tourism, will participate at IFTM representing the State sector.
In addition, around 20 private sector companies have confirmed participation at the IFTM Top Resa from 5-8 October at Paris Porte de Versailles (VIPARIS) in Paris – France.
These firms include: Aitken Spence Travels, Airwing Tours, Authenticities Ltd., Ayubowan Tours and Travels Ltd., Ceylon Tours, Cinnamon Hotels, Connaissance De Ceylan Ltd., Green Tours & Resort, Kanwel Holidays Ltd., Lanka Holiday Destination Ltd., Lanka Sportreizen, Let’s Travels, Lion Royal Tourisme, Nkar Travels & Tours Ltd., Shanthi Travels and Walkers Tours Ltd.
Around 200 destinations, 1,700 brands, 34,000 tourism professionals and 150 conference sessions have been lined up for this year’s IFTM.
France was one of the first countries to permit travel to Sri Lanka, in early August.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is on an upward trajectory after facing the brunt of the global Covid 19 pandemic. The number of tourist arrivals to the country are on the increase with last month showing the highest number of foreign travellers arriving in the country since the pandemic. The receipt of the internationally recognised safety and hygiene certifications by Sri Lanka’s airports along with the aggressive vaccination programme carried out have made the island an attractive post Covid travel destination. Sri Lanka has also been listed as a must visit destination by several leading global travel publications and has also been named among the top 10 island destinations. Sri Lanka has also eased travel restrictions to vaccinated travellers. All these have made Sri Lanka an attractive travel destination. Foreign businesses/investors could confidently explore the growing opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/12102021/Z_1 |