Tourism Minister Harin Fernando addressing the gathering 

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando and SLTPB Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu having a discussion with industry representatives

The world’s leading travel and trade show opened in London, UK on 7 November on a positive note. Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) collaborated with the Sri Lanka High Commission in London and the tourism industry stakeholders to showcase the destination and tourism experiences offered to travellers.

At a time the country is returning to normalcy with increased airline connectivity and relaxed travel advisories on Sri Lanka by tourism generating markets, WTM is considered as a great platform to send a positive message to the world that Sri Lanka is safe and travellers could visit any part of the country to have a wonderful tourism experience of this island nation. 

The travel packages launched by the industry to woo FIFA world cup fans and the creation of a FIFA zone in Negombo for the Football world cup in November is expected to be actively promoted during WTM in order to increase European arrivals to the destination in the months of November and December 2022.

The World Travel Market is the largest platform in the tourism sector which connects with leading tourism industry stakeholders in the world. More than 100 countries and around 5,000 exhibitors are showcasing at this mega event attracting visitors from all parts of the globe. 

The Sri Lanka pavilion at WTM was declared opened by Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando, along with High Commissioner in UK Saroja Sirisena, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu, Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau Chairman Thisum Jayasuriya, SLTPB Director Marketing Dushan Wickramasuriya, senior officials from the High Commission and industry partners.  

This year 57 local hoteliers/Destination Management Companies and SriLankan Airlines are showcasing wonderful tourism and travel experiences offered to visitors by the industry. 

The Pavilion was tastefully designed taking into consideration the travel interest of British tourists. A plethora of exciting holiday opportunities, tourism products and travel concepts are exhibited at the pavilion to attract visitors of varying demographics and travel interests. Pure Ceylon was actively promoted and expected to be served through the event. 

The Press Conference of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau at WTM was held on the day of the opening of WTM, which was a well-attended event with the participation of over 50 media personnel representing the leading global and regional media organisations. This was in addition to many electronic and print media interviews done on a one-on-one basis by the Minister at the Sri Lanka pavilion. There were other interviews done in the studios of media houses including CNN.

WTM 2022 is an excellent event not only for developing business links and creating awareness of the destination but also to keep the tour operators and media informed of the on-going situation in Sri Lanka.

Tourist arrivals cross 580,000 mark