Tourism industry participation at travel fairs “overwhelming”
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and authorities conducted a series of roadshows in China following the recent reopening of the country amidst an overwhelming response by local tour operators to participate at international travel fairs.
The roadshows in China targeting the main cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou were held on April 17 -20 with the participation of over 20 companies from the Sri Lankan tourism industry, Sri Lanka Tourism Director Marketing Dushan Wickramasuriya told the Business Times.
The industry has also received a good response lately from China since its reopening with Connaissance De Ceylan highlighting the visit of three VIP delegations of Chinese officials with tourism industry stakeholders from China.
The company’s Chairman/ Managing Director Chandra Wickramasinghe has pointed out that since the resumption of the flights from China post COVID-19 the future seems positive.
It was noted that over the last week they had received three VIP groups from China, all of who are looking to promote inbound travel to Sri Lanka along with other trade relations. The first delegation comprises 20 with the participation of the Mongolian Travel Agents and other industry specialists; the second delegation of 16 guests comprising China Art Association President and other members; and 12 guests comprising a third group headed by the CZK Huarui International Economy and Trade Development in Beijing Chairman and other investors.
In addition the industry comprising 50 companies will be participating at the next main event scheduled to be held on May 1 in Dubai at the Arabian Travel Mart (ATM).
Mr. Wickramasuriya also said that at this mart they will also have an opportunity to address the media in West Asia.
In addition, he noted that they had also commenced a social media campaign on April 1 to run for three months with the aim of commencing it ahead of the travel fair and later continue as well.
A roadshow is also scheduled from April 24 in India in the cities of Cochin, Chennai and Hyderabad with the participation of a sizeable number of companies numbering around 40, he said. Authorities have also invited a special celebrity from Poland to visit Sri Lanka to market the destination, he said. Tram advertising in the Czech Republic and Austria had also been planned during the same time of the year. Mr. Wickramasuriya also pointed out that the travel fairs are conducted on a lower scale than in the past but the response from the industry has been “overwhelming.”
He noted that plans are underway to bring tour operators from other countries to Sri Lanka and ensure that they are capable of attracting new operators and not only those with connections to Colombo.
As part of this exercise they have already invited about 10 tour operators and five media persons from Spain to visit Sri Lanka to promote the destination in that market.
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