Thursday, 26 September 2013 00:00
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Keeping in line with their international marketing strategy, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is currently participating in the annual International French Travel Mart (IFTM) which is being held at Parc d’Exposition in Porte de Versailles, Paris from 24 to 27 of September.
IFTM Top Resa is France’s international travel and tourism trade fair and is the tourism industry’s leading event for networking, doing business, innovating and keeping abreast of market developments. The exhibition offers a 360° panorama of the travel industry world-wide, covering all sectors: leisure, business and events.
Last year alone, the IFTM attracted over 164 tourist destinations represented by 28,788 industry professionals and nearly 1,200 exhibitors and brands. There was a 12.5% international visitor participation and the trade show itself hosted 380 events along with the participation of nearly 1,000 journalists and other media.
France has a long haul travel market of over 4 million per year and out of this, countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, India, receive over 150,000 per year. In this context, Executive Vice President of John Keells Holdings Group and head of Sri Lanka and Maldives resorts Sector Sunimal Senanayake said: “This is a very promising market for Sri Lanka Tourism, as the French market is dynamic in its outbound travel and possesses travellers who will engage in round tours in the country. By participating at this Trade Fair, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts hopes to attract such tourists who not only stay at beach hotels but also hotels within the Cultural Triangle and Hill Country, thereby being hospitable to all those who are keen to explore the rich culture and heritage of the destination.”
It is anticipated that Sri Lanka has the possibility of attracting over 100,000 tourists from France by the year 2016.
