Sri Lanka Tourism performs a successful stint at ATM
The Morning: Sri Lanka Tourism made headlines at the 31st edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) which was held from 6-9 May in Dubai, UAE, said Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau issuing a statement.
The travel fair was held at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) in line with the theme of empowering innovation – transforming travel through entrepreneurship. This is the largest tourism event in the Middle East which provides global exposure, business and travel opportunities for the tourism sector.
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has been participating at this event since 2003 along with the members of the travel and tourism industry in Sri Lanka and this year SLTPB has a vibrant and elegant stand with more than 60 participants from the travel and tourism industry.
The opening of the Sri Lanka Tourism pavilion at ATM took place at the Sri Lanka Stand with the participation of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in UAE Udaya Indrarathana, Sri Lanka Consul General in Dubai Alexi Gunasekera, SLTPB Chairperson Chalaka Gajabahu, SLTPB Director Marketing Dushan Wickramasuriya, and other official members of SLTPB and Diplomatic Missions. The colourful Sri Lanka pavilion was included with rich cultural heritage, pristine beaches, stunning landscapes and abundance of wildlife.
A press conference was organised by SLTPB on 7 May, the second day of the travel show, with the presence of a large number of international journalists and TV channels. Speaking at the press conference, the Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando, highlighted the country’s vision on the idea of the new logo and the unforgettable experience which travellers could get from Sri Lanka.
SLTPB Chairperson Chalaka Gajabahu highlighted the importance of UAE tourists to boost the total tourist arrivals to the country and invited all participants to experience the country offering the best holiday choices for an interested traveller.
SLTPB and Emirates renewed its commitment in promoting tourism in Sri Lanka through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that includes indicators designed to promote and play a major role in reviving the tourism and trade sectors in the country.
SLTPB Chairperson Chalaka Gajabahu signed the MoU from Sri Lanka Tourism while Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations West Asia and Indian Ocean Ahmed Khoory, signed from Emirates.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s steadily growing tourism industry is likely to receive a further boost with the ongoing promotional campaigns by local authorities in key tourism source markets as well as in new markets. The increasing interest in Sri Lanka as a must visit tourist destination with many tourism concepts while increasing tourist arrivals to the country has also expanded the business/investment opportunities in the industry, especially in the leisure and hospitality sectors. The development of infrastructure and supplementary infrastructure facilities required to meet the growing demand in the tourism industry have also presented lucrative business/investment opportunities. However, the growing business potential and the expanding opportunities in the leisure and hospitality sectors are not lost on foreign businesses/investors given the interest shown by international leisure and hospitality brands to enter the country’s tourism industry. Foreign businesses/investors looking at lucrative business opportunities could therefore confidently explore the growing opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.