Sri Lanka Tourism strengthens presence in Gujarat through successful B2B roadshows and networking events

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) successfully concluded its series of Media Networking Sessions, B2B Roadshows, and Networking Evenings across the Indian state of Gujarat, covering Surat, Rajkot, and Ahmedabad on 15, 17, and 19 June 2026, respectively.

The roadshows brought together 48 leading Sri Lankan travel and tourism companies, including SriLankan Airlines and FitsAir, providing an excellent platform to strengthen business partnerships and promote Sri Lanka as a preferred travel destination among the Indian travel trade.

Gujarat is one of India’s strongest outbound travel markets, driven by its entrepreneurial culture, large global diaspora, and relatively high disposable incomes. Outbound travel from the state is primarily driven by business, leisure, religious tourism, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR). The market continues to demonstrate strong growth, with increasing demand for short-haul international holidays of 3–7 days, luxury and customised travel experiences, online travel bookings, cruise tourism, MICE travel, and destination weddings.

The roadshows witnessed an overwhelming response, attracting more than 550 travel agents and over 60 media representatives across the three cities. The events served as an effective platform for networking, business discussions, and promoting Sri Lanka’s diverse tourism offerings to the Gujarat travel trade.

The events were attended by representatives of key travel and trade associations, including the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), South Gujarat Association of Travel Agents (SATA), Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), Travel Agents Association of Saurashtra (TAAS), and the Tour Operators and Travel Agents Association of Gujarat.

The Sri Lankan delegation included State of Gujarat Consul for Sri Lanka Rakesh R Shah, Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President Nalin Jayasundera, SriLankan Airlines Regional Manager – India, Bangladesh and Nepal Fawzan Fareid, SriLankan Airlines Manager – Western India Suman Udhayakumaran, and  Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Assistant Director Shirani Herath.

The timing of the Gujarat roadshows was particularly significant, coinciding with the launch of FitsAir’s direct flights between Ahmedabad and Sri Lanka, which commenced operations on 19 June 2026. The introduction of this new direct air connectivity is expected to further strengthen tourism and business ties between Gujarat and Sri Lanka while making the destination more accessible to travellers from Western India.

The successful conclusion of these promotional events reinforces SLTPB’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Indian market, fostering stronger partnerships with the travel trade, and positioning Sri Lanka as a premier short-haul destination offering diverse experiences, world-class hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and exceptional value for Indian travellers.

The roadshows brought together 48 leading Sri Lankan travel and tourism companies, including SriLankan Airlines and FitsAir, providing an excellent platform to strengthen business partnerships and promote Sri Lanka as a preferred travel destination among the Indian travel trade.

Outbound travel from the Indian state of Gujarat refers to residents of Gujarat traveling to destinations outside India for leisure, business, education, religious purposes, or visiting friends and relatives. Gujarat is one of India’s strongest outbound travel markets due to its high levels of entrepreneurship, a large diaspora, and relatively high disposable incomes.

Key to Gujarat’s outbound travel market is for business travel, leisure travel, religious travel, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR). Key market trends of Gujaratis - Growing demand for short-haul international holidays (3–7 days), Rising interest in luxury and customised travel packages, Increased adoption of online travel booking platforms, Continued growth in cruise tourism, MICE travel, and destination weddings.

All three cities were tremendous successes, participated by over 550 travel agents and over 60 media representatives. 

The events were represented by Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), South Gujarat Association of Travel Agents (SATA), Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), Travel Agents Association of Saurashtra (TAAS), Tour Operators and Travel Agents Association of Gujarat, Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President Nalin Jayasundera, SriLankan Airlines Regional Manager – India, Bangladesh and Nepal Fawzan Fareid, SriLankan Airlines Manager - Western India Suman Udhayakumaran, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Assistant Director Shirani Herath.   

SLTPB has conducted the above events on correct time in Gujarat since the Fits Air has commenced their operations to Sri Lanka direct from Ahmedabad on 19 June 2026.