Sri Lanka: Memorable authentic and diverse destination

Thursday, 9 November 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ITCM: World Travel Market (WTM), the leading global event for the Travel and Tourism industry, kicks off from 6-8 November at the Excel Exhibition Hall, London, UK, promoting international travel throughout the world.

Appreciating this unique opportunity to promote Sri Lanka as a renowned destination in world travel, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) will again participate in the event along with its industry partners on the 150th Anniversary of Ceylon Tea. Sri Lanka is also the title sponsor for the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW) Awards Ceremony 2017.

Sri Lanka Tourism in collaboration with the travel industry has been participating at WTM for over 40 years. The main objective of Tourism Bureau representation is to provide the Sri Lankan travel industry with an opportunity to meet, interact and network with Travel and Tourism industry partners from the UK and around the world to gain immediate competitive advantage for the Sri Lanka travel industry, stay abreast of the latest developments in the travel industry, and promote what’s new in Sri Lanka such as new hotel openings e.g. the second Shangri-La hotel opening in November 2017 and events.

Sri Lanka is all geared up to host a number of international events, such as: UIM Aquabike/Jetski Circuit World Championship – November 2017, The Annual European Senior Golf Tour - February 2018, Ironman 70.3 Colombo – February 2018, at the Galle Face Green, including a 1.9 km swim, a cycling event and 21.1km run along the coastline and The Annual World Surf League 2018 – July 2018, annual Redbull Local Hero Tour (Kite Surfing) and The Annual LSR Colombo Marathon. Alongside annual cultural events: Galle Literary Festival, Colombo Fashion Week and Cinnamon Colombo scope (Contemporary Arts Festival).

Spanning across an area of 280 sq meters, the Sri Lankan pavilion has taken a cutting edge position, highlighting Tea and depicting Sri Lanka as the country of Sun, Sea and Sand as key themes. Sri Lanka is also known for its exquisite beaches. Above all, the warm hospitality and the affectionate smiles of Sri Lankans will mesmerise visitors, encouraging them to visit this magical wonderland. The backdrop of the stand depicts a tea estate where the 1st tea bush was planted by Sir James Taylor in 1867 and maintains its “Ceylon Tea Boutique” concept for WTM which has been taken globally to every major event. All visitors to the Sri Lankan pavilion will have a rare chance of enjoying a cup of pure Ceylon Tea, which is world renowned. This compact island has so much to offer tourists with a range of diverse geographical phenomena and 8 World Heritage sites.

Under the guidance of the Ministry of Tourism Development and Christian Affairs, Sri Lanka has a 2020 vision of achieving a total of four million visitors with extended travel nights and revenues. Sri Lanka has already become a most sought after travel destination amongst UK tourists within the past few years. The arrival figures up to September 2017 from the UK stood at 153,971 which was an 8% growth over the same period last year. Sri Lanka Tourism expects over 220,000 tourist arrivals from the UK by 2020 and WTM will indeed be a milestone on this journey.