SLAITO flies Lankan flag high at top French travel show

Sri Lankan delegation at the top French travel show IFTM which kicked off in Paris yesterday 

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) is leading from the front on destination marketing at the top French travel show which kicked off in Paris yesterday.

Due to a decision by the previous leadership of the Sri Lanka Tourism, the country would have missed the mega event, International French Travel Mart (IFTM) Top Resa, in the important French market this year but SLAITO rose to the nation’s call of duty by organising a pavilion.

IFTM is one of the most prestigious events of its kind and attracts thousands of participants from around the globe. Around 200 destinations, 1,700 brands and 34,000 tourism professionals are participating at this year’s IFTM.

France is the fifth largest source market to Sri Lanka with first eight months arrivals amounting to 28,235.

Though Sri Lanka Tourism was officially absent, SLAITO mustered eight Destination Management Companies (DMCs) to keep the Sri Lanka flag flying high at the event thereby giving a big boost for efforts to woo more French tourists.

The participating companies are Aitken Spence Travels, Andrew the Travel Company, Authenticities Sri Lanka, Connaisance de Ceylan, Jetwing Travels, Lion Royal Tourism, Lanka Sportreizen, Walkers Tours and national carrier Srilankan Airlines. The Lankan pavilion was officially opened by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in France Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama.