High powered delegation at ITB

By Sanath Weerasuriya

International Tourismus Börse (ITB), the biggest global event for the travel and tourism industry, will come alive in Berlin, Germany from March 5 to 9.

A 150-strong Sri Lankan delegation from more than 50 Sri Lankan hospitality and leisure sector companies including Sri Lanka Tourism Authority is expected to participate in this year’s ITB travel and tourism exhibition.

Sri Lanka Tourism stakeholders expected to visit ITB include hoteliers, travel agents and other service providers. ‘Despite the security concerns in the North and the East of the country, the actual tourist areas are safe for tourists and the positive approach of the travel trade is made obvious by the continued participation at crucial professional events such as this,’ said Dileep Mudadeniya, Managing Director Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau .

In order to depict culture, the main entrance of the Sri Lankan Pavilion will be a model Watadage temple (12. AD century) a fibre glass model of the ancient Watadage located in Polonnaruwa, the World Heritage Site.

The dancers will be performing in front of this structure. There will also be several blow-ups of numerous attractions characteristic of Sri Lanka's product spectrum displayed within the pavilion.

The total area covered by the pavillion of Sri Lankan Tourism will be 402 square metres.

‘This year the Sri Lanka stall is planned to appear more on an open concept enabling visitors to make easier and more intense contacts and reconnaissance with Sri Lankan trade representatives as well as several attractions of this island nation,’ Mudadeniya said.