Financial Times

Sri Lanka holds travel mart in June
The “Sri Lanka – Gateway to South Asia” Travel Mart will be held for the fourth consecutive year from 16-18th June at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike International Exhibition Centre in Colombo. At least 200 buyers and 150 international and local exhibitors are expected to attend and participate at this travel mart which has now become a “must attend” event in the diary of travel professionals, the Sri Lanka Tourist Board said.

The mart last year received a record number of visitors, and contributed much towards the development of tourism in this region by showcasing Sri Lanka’s diverse attractions. It proved that besides traditional markets such as the UK, France, Germany and India, many new markets such as China, M/East and South Korea have shown a keen interest by sending large delegations to attend the travel mart last year.

“The Sri Lanka Travel Mart is fast growing to be the region’s best travel event,” said Udaya Nanayakkara, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. Sri Lanka is emerging as the Gateway to South Asia, and as a destination of variety and diversity, it is an ideal venue to conduct productive business and capitalize on lucrative business opportunities,” he said.

Malraj B. Kiriella, Director Marketing, Sri Lanka Tourist Board said, “The aim of the travel mart is to induce new buyers to visit Sri Lanka and our goal is to establish connections with new operators who are not working with us at the moment, but thinking of operating to Sri Lanka sometime in the future.” He said to achieve this, the mart provides these buyers/operators with an encapsulated version of the diverse attractions Sri Lanka has to offer visitors, while pre and post mart tours give them first hand experience of these attractions.

All tourism products of South Asia will be displayed at this one location, allowing buyers get a quick overview of the South Asian Tourism product and it’s potential. Professional development seminars will educate both buyers and exhibitors, helping them gain a better insight in to the Sri Lankan and South Asian markets, while selected topics will emphasise the South Asian market with presentations made by prominent industry professionals.

The exhibitor profile includes both inbound and out bound tour operators, MICE tourism companies, hotels, restaurants, airlines, incentive houses, Government and Semi Government institutions, Provincial Councils, International Country Pavilions and Corporate booths, Ayurvedic Centres, Safari Parks, Eco tourism services, Sports Tourism services, Theme Parks, Transport Organisers, IT and communications services and shops showcasing Sri Lanka’s souvenirs, gems and jewellery, handicrafts, tea, apparel and other products. “Getting such a diverse range of exhibitors all under one roof has dual benefits,” says Kiriella. “Not only international buyers and operators will be educated on what Sri Lanka has to offer, but we expect to give domestic tourism a boost as well, as the general public too would be educated on our diverse attractions.”

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