SLTPB holds international travel media and blogger promotional program ‘Feel & Share So Sri Lanka’

Wildlife with a camera lens

Italian blogger Claudia Tavani enjoying the scenic beauty at Pidurangala

Journalists from Japanese lifestyle magazine with SLTPB Director PR Madubhani Perera with officials of the VJP team​

Travel bloggers with SLTPB Chairman Kishu Gomes  and other officials

With local participants of the village community

Before ending year 2019, Visiting Journalist and Travel Blogger Programs conducted by the Sri Lanka Tourism Board hosted several groups of travel bloggers, influencers, journalists covering eight source markets: UK (GB), Netherlands (NL), Italy (IT), USA (US), India(IN), Japan (JP), UAE (AE) and Singapore (SG) in order to promote Sri Lanka as one of the safest, yet experience-driven travel destinations. 

Followed by a uniquely tailored travel plan designed by SLTPB, visiting media and travel bloggers have taken separate directions to explore “What is truly So Sri Lanka” focusing on Sri Lanka’s natural beauty, rich wildlife, golden beaches, authentic mouth-watering food, cultural values, colonial architectural marvels and ancient historical monuments. Travel programs spread around the island, from the southern coastal-line to Jaffna in the north.  

As part of this destination promotion, lesser-known areas such as Badulla, Bandarawela in Uva Province, Ambilipitiya, Udawalawe, Kilinochchi and Jaffna have been given greater exposure as potential new tourist destinations for those who search of fresh travel experiences.

These initiatives are expected to support and spread tourism around the island, also strengthening rural economies. Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Kishu Gomes welcomed the visiting media and travel influencers during the networking event at the Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo, joined by PR Director Madubhani Perera, PR Assistant Director Chaminda Munasinghe, Events Director Prasad Daluwatta and the rest of the SLTPB’s PR team.

Over the last seven months SLTB has invited over 40 International Travel Bloggers and social media influencers to the island. Over 25 mainstream travel media periodicals and TV channels visited the island to witness the travel safety of the country and showcase Sri Lanka as one of the safest destinations in the Asian Region. 

Local hospitality partners included Mount Lavinia Hotel, Jetwing Travels and Jaffna hospitality industry partners including Tilko Hotels and Tours Malayan. Cafe and local communities in the Kilinochchi area supported the SLTB PR Team in organizing these media promotional programs.