Large crowds visit Sri Lanka Stand at Vakantiebeurs Fair 2018 in The Netherlands

A large number of Dutch people visited the Sri Lanka Stand at the Vakantiebeurs Travel and Tourism Fair 2018, held in Utrecht, The Netherlands from 9-14 January. 

This annual fair, which was held for the 48th time, is the single most important travel and tourism fair, both for trade visitors and the public, and has consistently attracted the largest number of visitors in The Netherlands. Last year, the fair drew around 109,000 visitors with the participation of over 1,100 trade exhibitors. 

 The Sri Lanka Stand was ceremonially inaugurated by Mayor of Utrecht Jan Van Zanen and the Ambassador of Sri Lanka A.M.J. Sadiq last Tuesday, 9 January, by lighting the traditional oil lamp, accompanied by the distinguished participation of the Ambassadors of Croatia, Cuba, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia. 

Jagath Perera, Management Assistant (Marketing) represented the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) at the inauguration ceremony.  Thoori Balakrishnan, a Dutch dancer of Sri Lankan origin, performed a beautiful Bharatha Natyam dance which stole the show.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Sadiq underscored the importance of the Vakentiebeurs Fair for Sri Lankan tour operators, in generating tourist traffic from The Netherlands. He pointed out that due to the active involvement of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in The Netherlands, with the support and cooperation of the Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Bureau, it has been possible to create greater visibility and awareness about Sri Lanka among Dutch tour operators and the general public as an attractive and family friendly tourist destination. This has resulted in Dutch tourist arrivals consistently registering double digit growth over the last three years.  

Ambassador Sadiq also briefed the audience on some of the Embassy plans this year to promote Sri Lanka, to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the country’s independence, including organising a Tourism Road Show in Amsterdam as well as a diplomatic tour to Sri Lanka for Ambassadors and diplomats based in The Netherlands. He urged the 13 Sri Lankan tour operators attending the fair to take maximum advantage of their participation to proactively reach out to Dutch tour operators and the Dutch public visiting the fair, in order to promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination.