A delegation of 51 Sri Lanka-based tourism and hospitality companies visited Arabian Travel Market in Dubai to develop tourist arrivals and demand
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has successfully concluded a press conference at Arabian Travel Market Media Center last week as part of their participation at Arabian Travel Market 2018 and its on-going efforts to develop new markets and increase the number of visitors and spend from the region to Sri Lanka. The press conference was attended by Hon. Minister John Amaratunga, Sri Lankan Minister of Tourism, H.E. Charitha Yattagoda – Sri Lankan Consul General – Dubai and Northern Emirates, Mr. Sutheash Balasubramaniam – Managing Director – Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Mr. Felix Srimal Rodrigo – Advisor to Hon. Minister, Mr. Ajantha Rathnayake, Assistant Director - Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Mr. Asiri Wickramasooriya, Country Manager – UAE Sri Lankan Airlines and members of GCC media.
In 2017, Sri Lanka received a total of 107,635 tourists from the Middle East region with 6.5% growth increase compared to 2016 arrivals. Currently there are 70 direct flight services a week connecting UAE to Sri Lanka suggesting the potential to grow and develop the market further is great, especially as travellers from the country on average have one of the highest travel spends in the world. This will result in not only return dividends for Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality industries, but also for the retail industry.
Hon. Minister John Amaratunga, Sri Lankan Minister of Tourism said, “Sri Lanka has much to offer visitors from the region with our distinctive, adventure-packed, eco-friendly, family-focused experiences and offerings, as well as our rich nature, heritage and culture, year-round schedule of festivals and special events, numerous parks and eco centers, luxury resorts and wellness centres, and romantic settings for honeymooners and couples. Our mission has done much to put Sri Lanka on the map and in the hearts and minds of Middle East-based travel partners, and in combination with future promotions planned for the country and the region, I’m confident we will see many more visitors from the region making Sri Lanka their next holiday destination of choice in the coming months.”
Sri Lanka is growing as a 'destination for all seasons'. It is a unique island destination which is different from other island destinations as it combines everything into one compact place in the most authentic way for visitors to experience.
Managing Director, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sutheash Balasubramaniam said, "The Middle East continues to be one of the fastest growing source market for Sri Lanka. We believe that the potential of the Middle Eastern travel market is yet to realize in terms of attracting longer stay and higher spending travelers."
"It is our fervent hope to make Sri Lanka the most preferred destination in Asia for Middle Eastern travelers. Sri Lanka offers travellers an array of diverse product offerings and experience spread across the small island and caters to all ages," noted Mr. Balasubramaniam.
The press conference was successfully coordinated by AVIAREPS, the world’s leading destination marketing and promotion company with 63 offices in 47 countries around the world.
-Ends-
About Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) is the authoritative government body responsible for handling all marketing and promotional activities related to the travel and tourism industry of Sri Lanka. The Bureau headed by the Chairman, Managing Director and a Board of Directors comprising of representatives from the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism etc.
SLTPB’s main objectives would be marketing and promoting of Sri Lanka directly and indirectly as a tourist and travel destination of quality specified in accordance with the Tourism Development Plan in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau and Sri Lanka Institute of Hotel Management and with all travel and tourism stakeholders. These efforts are focused to promote Sri Lanka as a gateway to the South Asian Regions; and making Sri Lanka known as the centre of excellence in tourism management and development in the region.
Website: http://www.srilanka.travel
Ian Borromeo
Senior Account Manager
AVIAREPS
Dubai Media City
P.O. Box 502657
Dubai - U.A.E.
Office : +971 4 375 3295
NEW Mobile : +971 56 6110 604
Fax : +971 4 4393582
Email : iborromeo@aviareps.com
www.aviareps.com
