Sri Lanka explores market potential in Switzerland for tourism promotion

Wednesday, 7 November 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ambassador Kumararatne and Jagath Perera, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau present tokens to Mayor of Lugano Marco Borradori and Lugano Exhibition Chief Organiser Marco Peon

Some of the participants from Sri Lanka with Ambassador Kumararatne

A part of crowd at the Sri Lanka pavilion

The Sri Lanka pavilion at ‘Swiss International Holiday Exhibition’ known as ‘iViaggiatori’ was inaugurated by Mayor of Lugano Marco Borradori, Lugano Exhibition Chief Organiser Marco Peon and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the World Trade Organization Ambassdor R.D.S. Kumararatne, on 1 November

The Sri Lanka Mission in Geneva in collaborating with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau organised Sri Lanka’s participation at this Holiday Exhibition which was held from 1 to 4 November at the Lugano Exhibition Centre in Switzerland. iViaggiatori is the prestigious tourism event that takes place annually in the Italian speaking canton in Switzerland, and is recognised as one of the prominent tourism trade fairs in Europe.

Switzerland is a well-developed economy with a GDP of CHF 668 billion and a per capita of CHF 79,000, the second highest in the world. The households’ disposal income estimated to be CHF 400 billion with an average saving rate of 14%. Swiss tourists are considered be high spenders in leisure travel.

The joint effort made by Sri Lanka Mission in Geneva and Tourism Promotion Bureau is timely as Sri Lanka is gradually becoming a popular destination for Swiss tourists. This is further facilitated with the introduction of Swiss Air chartered flights ‘Edelweiss Air’ twice a week starting from 3 November this year for Zurich-Colombo-Zurich sectors. Sri Lanka’s recognition by Looney Planet as the number one popular tourist destination for 2019 will complement the Sri Lanka’s promotional efforts in the Swiss market.

The Swiss International Holiday Exhibition attracts around 20,000 participants from among travel agents, tour operators, tourism related professional. This annual exhibition was started in 2003 and the exhibition area has expanded over 30% with the increasing number of exhibitors from all-over the world. 2018 edition is participated by over 250 exhibitors from the countries such as Italy, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, India, Spain, Cyprus, Canada, Germany, Tanzania, Croatia, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Chile, Austria, Maldives, Lithuania, Greece, South Africa, Indonesia, Uganda, Mongolia.

This year, altogether six companies represented Sri Lanka’s tourism business sector participated in this exhibition namely, Karusan Travels, A. Baur & Company Travel Ltd., Lets travel, Ayu in the Wild Holidays, Coral Sands Hotel Ltd., and The choice – Gem & Jewellery. Sri Lanka’s participation at this exhibition was coordinated by Jagath Perera Marketing Officer in charge of Swiss Market of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. Sri Lanka pavilion received a TV coverage in the popular channel ‘TELETICINI’ on the opening day of the exhibition.