Sri Lanka Tourism woos Aussies via road shows in three cities

Australian and Sri Lankan participants at the event  

As another result of its worldwide promotional tour, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau arranged three roadshows in Australia post-pandemic. The inaugural event took place in Brisbane featuring the distinguished presence of High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Australia Chitranganee Wagiswara, Sri Lanka›s Consul General in Melbourne Sandith Samarasinghe, and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu, accompanied by officials from Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Sri Lanka Consulate, on 19 March in Brisbane and proved to be a resounding success. Thirty-two Sri Lankan companies participated alongside sixty Australian travel and tour operators and Australian media personnel. The feedback received was overwhelmingly positive, indicating a fruitful exchange of ideas and opportunities. These roadshows serve as vital platforms for developing partnerships and enhancing collaborations between Sri Lankan businesses and their Australian counterparts. Moreover, they play a pivotal role in revitalising the tourism sector in Sri Lanka by stimulating interest and engagement from Australian markets. The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau›s adept organisation of these events underscores its commitment to promoting tourism and facilitating meaningful connections within the industry.

On 21 March, Sri Lanka Tourism successfully concluded its second roadshow at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney. The event garnered participation from over 75 Australian travel trade companies and 25 media representatives and influencers, facilitating fruitful business discussions between Australian and Sri Lankan participants. The opening remarks at the second roadshow were delivered by High Commissioner Wageeswara. SLTPB Chief Gajabahu provided the keynote on the new global positioning of Sri Lanka. Consul General Samarasingha also addressed the attendees. SriLankan Airlines Manager for Sydney Sakura Wijethunga represented the National carrier in Sri Lanka. The event featured a vibrant dance performance, adding colour and liveliness to the proceedings. The dance troupe brought vibrant elegance to the event. Their graceful moves and lively performances added a special charm to the event, creating an atmosphere filled with energy and beauty, enhancing the overall experience for everyone attending. Notably, a raffle draw was conducted, offering attendees the chance to win exciting prizes, including six nights and seven days’ tour packages from Sri Lankan travel trade, and three complimentary air tickets from Sri Lankan Airlines. This was one item where the participants joined in enthusiastically. Overall, the roadshow served as a platform for fostering collaboration and promoting Sri Lanka as a premier tourist destination among Australian travellers.

The conclusion of the series of roadshows in Australia took place at the Sofitel hotel in Melbourne, marking a significant milestone in SLTPB’s efforts to promote Sri Lanka as a premier tourist destination in Australia. With the participation of over 50 Australian agents and 35 media representatives, the event was a testament to the growing interest in Sri Lanka’s tourism offerings. The day commenced with productive B2B meetings, facilitating valuable connections between Australian and Sri Lankan businesses. This was followed by an official ceremonial session, featuring a warm welcome speech from Consul General Samarasingha. SLTPB Chief Gajabahu provided valuable insights into Sri Lanka’s tourism landscape, setting the stage for further discussions. 

The highlight of the event was the address by Sri Lanka Tourism Ambas-sador Sanath Jayasuriya, whose presence captivated the audience. A keynote speech by Tourism Minister Harin Fernanado emphasised the vast opportunities for leisure and investment in Sri Lanka. The interactive Q&A session further underscored the attendees’ keen interest in exploring business prospects in Sri Lanka. Adding to the attraction of the evening was a captivating performance by a dancing group and an enticing raffle draw, which included an Economy class return ticket from Melbourne to Colombo courtesy of Sri Lankan Airlines, along with eight tour packages from Sri Lankan travel trade participants. Overall, the event was a resounding success, solidifying Sri Lanka’s position as a favoured destination in the Australian market. Sri Lankan Airlines facilitated the provision of three tickets for three cities and twenty-two tour packages for these destinations through the Sri Lankan travel trade. Further, it is important to note that this event was organised in collaboration with the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra and the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Melbourne, which contributed immensely to this purpose.