Sri Lanka Embassy in Belgium partners Emirates, Jetwing Travels for exclusive tourism showcase

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Belgium, in collaboration with Emirates and Jetwing Travels Sri Lanka, hosted an exclusive tourism showcase titled “An Evening in Ceylon” on 13 October 2026 at the Sri Lanka Residence in Brussels. 

Over 50 prominent tourism industry representatives, travel trade professionals, and distinguished guests attended the event. The initiative served as a strategic platform to enhance destination awareness and build stronger tourism links between Sri Lanka and the Belgian market. 

Adding special prestige to the occasion, the Parliament Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, who was in Brussels on an official visit, attended as the special guest. In his address, he emphasised Sri Lanka’s enduring appeal, warm hospitality, and vast array of attractions, which make the island an unforgettable destination for tourists worldwide.

Ambassador Chandana Weerasena in his speech explained how Sri Lanka is distinct among many other destinations because of its unrivalled combination of wild life and nature and cultural heritage. Emirates Country Manager for Belgium and Luxembourg, Jean-Pierre Martin highlighted Emirates’ valued partnership in promoting Sri Lanka as a travel destination. 

Jetwing Travels Director Bandula Withana explained a longstanding role of the company in promoting Sri Lanka through its tour operations association with Jetwing Hotels, which offers a collection of eco-luxury hospitality properties across the island.

Jetwing Travels Business Development Manager of BENELUX and DACH Lieke Schroeder presented Sri Lanka’s tourism experiences and the company’s destination management services highlighting the range of experiences available in Sri Lanka to international visitors, encompassing Sri Lanka’s natural landscapes, cultural heritage and hospitality.

Emirates Belgium Sales Executive Laurent Meulewaeter presented the airline’s services and connectivity to Sri Lanka highlighting the importance of air connectivity in facilitating travel and supporting tourism links between Belgium and Sri Lanka.

The event provided guests with an opportunity to learn about diverse tourism offerings in Sri Lanka while experiencing distinctive aspects of Sri Lankan culture and true hospitality through authentic Sri Lankan traditional culinary specialties and beverages and wearing traditional clothes. A live hopper station and cocktail prepared with Sri Lankan traditional beverage were arranged to offer a real authentic Sri Lankan flavours to the participants. Guests were presented with traditional Sri Lankan sarongs to wear during the evening and this thoughtful gesture was warmly appreciated and attracted by the guests.

The evening concluded with a quiz competition. Two lucky winners each received an Economy Class return ticket to Sri Lanka, courtesy of Emirates, together with a complete land package in Sri Lanka provided by Jetwing Travels. Two additional winners received complete land packages courtesy of Jetwing Travels. The prizes will offer winners an opportunity to experience Sri Lanka’s attractions and hospitality first-hand.

The event was organised as a part of the Embassy’s ongoing efforts to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for tourism, cultural discovery, nature-based experiences and authentic hospitality. Through continued cooperation with airlines, destination management companies and tourism industry stakeholders, the Embassy seeks to strengthen Sri Lanka’s visibility in Belgium, deepen engagement with the local travel trade and encourage further growth in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka from Europe.