Sri Lanka Tourism Expo 2022 kicks off today 

• Key industry-policy event to focus on ‘Future of Sri Lanka Tourism: Resilience and Sustainable’
• Four-day Expo features multiple interactive sessions 
• Open for public from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at OGF Mall 

The Sri Lanka Tourism Expo 2022 will kick off today at the One Galle Face Mall, opening up emerging opportunities for industry stakeholders to synergise collective efforts to make their inroads to build a resilient and sustainable sector. 

The four-day event is an annual industry-policy integrated event in parallel to the UNWTO Tourism Day Celebration “Rethinking Tourism”, organised by the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management (AATEHM) and the Tourism Study Programs, Department of Economics, the University of Colombo with the strategic partnership of One Galle Face Mall and the industry partnership with the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO). 

SLTE 2022 provides an influential and robust platform for all the tourism industry stakeholders ranging from accommodation, hotels, associations, destination management companies and service providers, to interact and build long-lasting business networks and connections by effectively engaging with each other throughout multiple events.

“For the second year in a row, we are pleased to pool resources with key stakeholders and One Galle Face to organise a series of events for industry professionals,” Masters in Tourism program Founder/Coordinator Prof. Suranga Silva said.

A panel discussion titled ‘Future of Sri Lanka Tourism: Resilience and Sustainable’ will also take place today at 6.30 p.m. onwards, covering topics of fostering sustainability and inclusive growth, boosting competitiveness and building resilience in the hospitality industry, realigning tourism; recovery and transformation, strengthening coordination, partnerships and solidarity for economic recovery and advance innovation and the digitalisation of the tourism ecosystem. 

Live cooking competitions starring seasoned chefs eager to flaunt their talents in creating stand-out dishes on the spot, several other interactive programs including a food festival, cocktail competition, cake structure competition, dress the cake competition, and mystery box challenges are lined up to take place.

It will also have a Mini Travel Mart (MTM) organised by SLAITO, the Extended Industry-Policy Dialogue Forums of International Tourism Leaders’ Summit (ITLS) and an exhibition of Sri Lankan cultural entertainment will be featured to showcase the diverse potential of Sri Lanka Tourism. 

The Expo will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. till 20 November at the OGF Mall.