Embassy in Jakarta organises fam tour to promote Sri Lanka as Buddhist tourist destination

Thursday, 3 August 2023 01:12 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta, in collaboration with SriLankan Airlines, Jetwing Travels, and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, organised the first familiarisation tour after the COVID-19 pandemic with a view to promote Sri Lanka as a preferred tourist destination for Indonesian Buddhists.

The tour group, comprising 11 enthusiastic travellers, have embarked on a journey to explore the cultural and spiritual wonders of Sri Lanka from 31 July to 9 August.

Although the majority of Indonesians are from the Islamic faith, the Buddhist population is also quite significant in Indonesia. It accounts for more than 2 million people and these Buddhists of Chinese origin play an active role in the business world of Indonesia. This initiative aims to deepen the cultural ties between the two nations while showcasing the rich heritage and serene landscapes that Sri Lanka has to offer.

The familiarisation tour will take the participants to several iconic destinations, including the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, the breathtaking town of Ella, the picturesque coastal city of Negombo, the historic city of Galle, the cultural hub of Kandy, the enchanting Nuwara Eliya, and the awe-inspiring Dambulla Temple.

One of the highlights of the group is the presence of Alicia Yudos, a prominent social media influencer, who will share her experiences and captivating moments throughout the journey, further promoting the beauty of Sri Lanka to a wider audience. Additionally, the group is pleased to include Wenny Lo, an honoured leader of the leading Buddhist Association in Indonesia, known as “Wandani,” whose participation signifies the strong bond between the Indonesian Buddhist community and Sri Lanka.

It is noteworthy that the cost for this familiarisation tour has been solely borne by the enthusiastic travellers themselves, reflecting their genuine interest in exploring the wonders of Sri Lanka and promoting meaningful cultural exchanges between the two nations.

Under the guidance of Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Indonesia and ASEAN Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage, Second Secretary (Commercial) Heshani Premathilaka and the team of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta, SriLankan Airlines Manager – Indonesia Amila Wijesekara and SriLankan Airlines team, Jetwing Travels Manager Chathura Fernando and Jetwing team, SLTPB Chairman H. Chalaka D. Gajabahu and SLTPB Assistant Director – Marketing Chami Lanka Gasnawage supported in making this journey possible.

As the group sets out on this exciting adventure, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta looks forward to welcoming more Indonesian Buddhists to experience the warmth and hospitality of Sri Lanka in the near future.