Over 70 firms to boost destination Sri Lanka at WTM

• Delegation of over 100 personnel led by Tourism Minister Harin Fernando to participate at three-day expo
• SLTDA Chief Priantha Fernando says Sri Lanka’s rating among the 13 safest countries augurs well ahead of the holiday season
• SL welcomes 16,338 visitors during the first 13-days of October
• Says resumption of Russia’s flag carrier Aeroflot will be a game changer

By Charumini de Silva

A large industry delegation comprising over 70 travel and tourism firms has confirmed participation to make a fresh push for Sri Lanka’s destination marketing at this year’s WTM in London next month.

Over 100 personnel led by Tourism Minister Harin Fernando, are geared up to woo global travellers during the three-day trade show from 7 to 9 November at the World Travel Market at ExCel World in London.



“We have got over 70 companies on board now and we have already run out of our pavilion space of 204 sqm at AS1020. This is the largest delegation participating after 2018,” Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Priantha Fernando told the Daily FT.

Sri Lanka will also come under the international media spotlight on the inaugural day of the WTM, as authorities will host a press conference, in addition to the number of networking events placed during the three-day trade show.

“It is a great opportunity for us to tell the world that Sri Lanka is open and ready to welcome international travellers (https://www.worldpackers.com),” he added.

This year WTM marks its 43rd anniversary.

Commenting on Sri Lanka being listed among the world’s safest countries, he said that it augurs well ahead of the peak season to make definitive decisions.

“Given the negative publicity the country received over the past few months due to the socio-economic outlook, this rating is indeed in favour of Sri Lanka. It will help the travellers who were in two minds to make a confident decision,” Fernando added.

With more airlines looking to resume flights again to Colombo, he pointed out that the steady influx of international travellers from November onwards was extremely important for the revival of the triple-hit tourism industry and the economy.

As of 13 October, Sri Lanka has welcomed 16,338 travellers, with India (3,318), Russia (2,164) and the UK (1,556) as the top three source markets.

“Resumption of service by the Russian flag carrier — will absolutely be a game changer over the next few months, with the airline indicating an over 80% load factor,” he added.