Cricket, weddings and honeymoons push by Sri Lanka at WTM London

World Travel Market (WTM), the leading global event of the travel and tourism trade, is scheduled to kick off today (5 November 2012) at Excel Exhibition Hall, London.

Having foreseen the unique opportunity to promote Sri Lanka as a renowned destination in world travel, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has taken steps to participate in the event, along with 53 partners of the industry.

The delegation, comprising industry partners and officials representing the Government of Sri Lanka, will be led by Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana and includes SLTPB Chairman Bhashwara Senanka Gunathilaka.

During the period of the event, a number of exclusive media interviews will take place with the view of promoting Sri Lanka under the main theme of ‘Wonder of Asia,’ whilst enhancing the two sub themes of promoting Sri Lanka as an ideal destination for weddings and honeymoons and cricket.

In the first two days of the exhibition, a traditional wedding ceremony, enriched with customs, will be featured at the stall, providing a very good opportunity for the visitors to get a glimpse into the culturally-rich traditions of Sri Lanka.

SLTPB will focus on promoting Sri Lanka as a cricketing destination during the third day of the exhibition. Thus, the staff of the stall and the exhibitors will wear Sri Lanka Cricket T-shirts, with the ambition of highlighting Sri Lanka as a cricketing nation in a world famous travel market and thereby attract more cricket fans to the island.

Sri Lanka Cricket T-shirts and miniature bats will be distributed to visitors to the stall and SLTPB has also invited the English Cricket Board, main cricket clubs and their presidents to grace the event by contributing to the planned raffle draws.

In addition, a program to promote Ceylon Tea will be held at the time of the exhibition, providing a rare chance for the visitors to enjoy a cup of pure Ceylon Tea.

WTM attracts more than 30,000 visitors, 5,000 trade partners (exhibitors), and over 3,000 journalists around the world each year. More than 1,000 travel agents, including over 200 tour operators, are also expected to attend to market Sri Lanka’s booming industry of tourism in the post-conflict period.

Under the guidance of the Ministry of Economic Development, the tourism industry has witnessed a rapid growth in recent history. “With this achievement in hand, SLTPB is looking to achieve the expected target by the end of 2016 and WTM will indeed be a milestone in this journey,” Sri Lanka Tourism said.

Participating companies

Asian Adventures 

Serendib Leisure Management Ltd.

Andrew The Travel Company Private Ltd.

Aitken Spence Travels (Pvt) Ltd.

NKAR Travels & Tours Pvt Ltd.

Lanka Sportreizen

Hilton Colombo

Eco Team (Pvt) Ltd.

Taprospa Spas & Resorts/Mackwoods travels

Pan Lanka Travels & Tours

Journeyscapes (Pvt) Limited

The Fortress Resort and Spa

Ramada Colombo

Ceylon Tea Trails (Pvt) Ltd.

Mahawali Reach Hotels Plc

Jetwing Hotels (Private) Limited

Jetwing Travels (Pvt) Ltd.

Tree of Life (Pvt) Ltd.

Goldi Sands Hotels (Pvt) Ltd.

Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort

Walkers Tours 

Taj Hotels – Sri Lanka

The Blue Water (Union Resorts LTD)

Rainforest Ecolodge (CCC Solutions Pvt Limited)

Ceylon Tours Limited

Hayleys Travels & Tours (Pvt) Ltd.

Columbus Tours(Pvt) Ltd.

Akquasun Lanka (Pvt) Ltd,

Galadari Hotel

LOLC Leisure Ltd.

Amaya Resorts & Spas

Tangerine Group of Hotel 

Club Palm Bay – Marawila – Marawila Resorts Plc

Mount Lavinia Hotel/Club Bentota

Connaissance De Ceylan

Auro Resorts Tangalle (Pvt) Ltd.

United Holidays (Pvt) Ltd.

Hilton Colombo Residence

Citrus Leisure

Uga Escapes – Uga Resorts (Pvt) Ltd.

Get Into Lanka Travels & Tours Pvt Ltd.

Global Towers Management (Pvt) Ltd. – Global Towers Hotel

Hawk Travels (Pvt) Ltd.

Paradise Resort Passikudah (Pvt) Ltd. – Amethyst Resort

Ceylon Hotel Corporation PLC – The Surf & The Safari

SME Registration WTM 2012

Company name

Crystal Holidays (Pvt) Ltd.

Lanka Holidays Net Pvt Ltd.

World Travel Centre Colombo Pvt Ltd.

Quickshaws Tours Pvt Ltd.

Thambapanni Leisure Pvt Ltd.

Randolee Resort Pvt Ltd.

Butterflies Pvt Ltd.

Airwing Tours Pvt Ltd.