First ever Colombo International Shopping Festival kicks off today

The Colombo International Shopping Festival, which will be one of the major events of the year, will get underway for the first time in Sri Lanka under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga, from 20-22 October at the SLECC from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. 

This event is organised by the Ministry of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Sri Lanka Retailer’s Association, in order to showcase and create the ultimate shopping experience and to promote Sri Lanka as a shopping destination for tourists. This will be marked as an annual event on the tourism calendar.

“Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean was well noted by ancient traders who travelled from east to west and vice versa. 

It formed an integral part of the original maritime silk route. Today we are seeing a revival of these trading traditions with the launch of the Colombo International Shopping Festival, spanning the length and breadth of the country,” said Minister Amaratunga.

“It offers an ideal platform to showcase our produce ranging from spices, handicrafts, jewellery, clothing and food to hi-tech electrical and electronic equipment at very competitive prices. The festival is an added attraction for tourists to visit this beautiful island and benefit from the shopping bargains on offer for global brands,” added Minister Amaratunga.

Ministry Secretary Esala Weerakoon said that this was indeed a significant milestone in tourism development –one great window of opportunity for tourists who are attracted by the beauty and serenity of the country. ‘’They will now have more to look for and take back pleasant memories. It is equally beneficial to Sri Lankans here and abroad who can learn of the strides we are making,’’ he added. 

The festival will bring a new dimension to the Sri Lankan shopping experience, allowing consumers to buy renowned brands in the most cost-effective manner by catering to each need by expanding services related to travel, lodging, payment and showcasing what Sri Lanka has to offer. 

Another objective of this event is to promote Sri Lanka as a “shopping hub” and attract tourists to have a shopping experience in the typical Sri Lankan style. The event is expected to be the first shopping festival of a large magnitude to ever take place in Sri Lanka, attracting tourists with local and branded products, which will attract a South Asian audience, which will also encourage local entrepreneurs to showcase their products and gain recognition in the global market.

Apart from general products and services, including household consumer durables, handicrafts, ceramics, gem and jewellery, tea, value added choir products, local and Western cuisine, Ayurvedic and healthcare products, specific tourist segments will also be targeted such as sports tourism, adventure tourism, heritage, cultural, religious tourism, eco-tourism and promoting Sri Lanka’s exquisite beaches. 

A touch of glamour will also be added with a cultural show, where there will be a large number of food stalls. 

Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau Chairman Udaya Nanayakkara said: “Shopping festivals of this nature have to be positioned as annual events. With past experience of such events, conducted in Singapore and Dubai, they have become much sought after mainly for regional tourism and to some degree international tourism in the two countries. Data available clearly indicates repeat custom visitations from the region. Such events are now enhancing the offerings with cultural events, etc. 

It is encouraging that the major retailers have grouped themselves together as the Retailer’s Association of Sri Lanka to conceptualise this maiden effort, and we’re glad to partner it together with our own brand endorsement.”

“I am positive that all will learn from this first effort and will fine-tune it further next year and thereafter make it a grand success in attracting shopping tourism, primarily from the region with a possible extension. It should become branded as Sri Lanka’s annual shopping festival spreading to every corner of our beautiful island,’’ he added. 

Sri Lanka Retailers Association Chairman Hussain Sadique said that it was the first time the Colombo International Shopping Festival was conducted to attract foreign tourists during their stay in Sri Lanka, for all their lifestyle needs such as world-class brands and products are available in various retail outlets in Sri Lanka. They will also be able to have the ultimate Sri Lankan shopping experience. He added that through this three-day event, various products will be available at special rates.