Sri Lanka counts on hosting 2016 French Travel Agents Congress
View(s):The French Travel Agents Association or the Syndicate National des Agencies de Voyages (SNAV) is likely to pick Sri Lanka for their next congress meeting in 2016, officials said.
Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) Chairman Vipula Wanigasekara speaking to the Business Times said that they would be flying to France for a meeting with the committee established to conduct this congress in this respect within the next few weeks.The French travel agents numbering over 600 were expected to come down to the country if they should pick this destination for their congress next year, he said adding, “We are very confident they will choose Sri Lanka for this”.
This would provide adequate mileage for Sri Lanka as a destination to market itself effectively by introducing them to the cultural and heritage sites in addition to most other visits organised by the bureau.
He noted that industry members Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), Tourist Hoteliers Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) and Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference and Exhibition Organisers (SLAPCEO) were also involved in the bidding process together with SriLankan Airlines.
This is expected to boost Sri Lanka travel and tourism prospects by marketing the destination directly to the travel agents while visiting the country.