Sri Lanka makes waves at first ever roadshow in Turkey

Presentation by Ambassador Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake

Presentation by Ambassador Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake

Speech by SLTPB Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau conducted a roadshow in Turkey on 18 April which was the first roadshow organised from SLTPB in Turkey, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Mission in Turkey and the National Carrier that has direct connectivity from Istanbul which operates five flights per week. 

The Turkish airline is scheduled to carry daily flights from October 2024 onwards. Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau organised this event to create awareness in timely manner and showcasing the importance of the market in the international travel forum as the first initiative. 

Sri Lanka impressed the Turkish travel trade and media community by showcasing it’s galore of holiday opportunities, its culture with various videos and cultural dance performances to make the Turkish travellers to consider about having a different experience in a different destination at the roadshow held in Istanbul, Turkey at the Intercontinental Hotel Turkey. 

There were 19 Sri Lankan travel industry participants representing travel companies and hotels registered with SLTPB for the event. They included Aitken Spence Travels Ltd., Walkers Tours Ltd., Ceylon Roots/LOLC Holdings PLC, Jetwing Travels Ltd., Exotic Holidays International Ltd., Hayleys Travels Ltd., Golden Isle Ltd., Ceylon Empire Travels Ltd., Bernard Tours Ltd., Fly A World Consultant and Tourism Ltd., Oreta Travels Ltd., Resfeber Holidays Ltd., Sunway Holidays/Sunway International Ltd., Shimron Holidays Ltd., Ayubowan Tours and Travels Ltd., Apuru Ltd., Trancso Travel Ltd., Ceylon My Dream Ltd., and Esna Holidays Ltd.

The welcome speech was made by Dushan Wickramasuriya, while the country presentation was done by Sri Lankan Ambassador to Turkey Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake. Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu, briefed the audience with a detailed introduction of the new concepts and strategies initiated by Sri Lanka Tourism to be implemented as a tactical measure to increase the influx of tourists. Assistant Director Sasika Jayaweera responsible for the Turkish Market, made the vote of thanks. Designated Honorary Consul General of Sri Lanka in Istanbu Aydin Osu also graced the event with his participation . 

Furthermore, Turkish Airline supported Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau for the success of this event by providing the assistance and offering sponsorships. Also, the Station Manager of the Turkish Airline Cumhur Boyaraz addressed the crowd and did a presentation by being the National Carrier of Turkey and how they will contribute to increase the numbers to Sri Lanka. 

A networking session was held with local travel industry partners and Turkish Travel Agents for more productive sessions to share their demand and suppliers and also introducing their individual products to the travel agents and media who were presented at the event. In parallel with the trade networking session, Sri Lanka Tourism also conducted a media briefing for the media personals who were presented at the event which is vital in order to take the message that the island is safe, secure and fully equipped to offering the travel experience. 

It was a great opportunity have the presence of TURSAB the travel association of Turkey and Jazeera Airlines, a Kuwaiti airline that has daily flights to Sri Lanka from Turkey along with the major tour operators who are currently supporting Sri Lanka. 

Turkey, as one of the most notable countries in Mediterranean Europe has good potential as a top source market for Sri Lanka as it has the capability of attracting tourists towards its local attractions, given the necessary promotion.