Sri Lanka Tourism to reach 1 m at WTM, London

By Sanath Weerasuriya in London

The curtain rose at the Sri Lanka Pavilion at the World Travel Mart in London yesterday with new hope for Sri Lanka Tourism to go beyond its target of one million tourist arrivals to the country by the end of this year.

World Travel Market (WTM), one of the largest global travel and tourism events, kick-started business yesterday at ExCel Exhibition Centre in London.

Business at Sri Lanka Tourism’s modern, architecturally-designed pavilion was declared open by Deputy Minister of Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana. Also present at the opening ceremony were SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe, SLTPB Chairman Bhashwara Senanka Gunathilaka, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK Dr. Chris Nonis, newly-elected President of THASL Jayantissa Kehelpannala, Mervyn Fernandopulle of ASMET, Nalin Perera of Sri Lanka Tourism UK Office, and other distinguished industry members.

World Travel Mart this year recorded the highest participation at a travel event in the UK, attracting more than 6,600 exhibitors from over 200 countries, creating unparalleled opportunities for buyers and sellers to identify new markets and learn about the latest trends and developments.

This year WTM aims to attract more than 30,000 visitors and over 3,000 journalists from around the world. More than 1,000 travel agents, including over 200 tour operators, are also expected to attend.

The Sri Lankan delegation, comprising nearly 125 members, represents 53 destination management companies and the Sri Lankan hotel and resorts sector, taking part in this year’s WTM in London.

During WTM 2012, exclusive media interviews will take place with the view of promoting Sri Lanka under the main theme of ‘Wonder of Asia,’ whilst enhancing the two sub themes of promoting Sri Lanka as an ideal destination for weddings and honeymoons and as a destination for cricket.

Accordingly, in the first two days of the exhibition, a traditional wedding ceremony, enriched with customs, will be featured at the stall, providing an ideal opportunity for visitors to witness the culturally-rich traditions of Sri Lanka.

SLTPB will focus on promoting Sri Lanka as a cricketing destination during the third day of the exhibition, during which stall staff and exhibitors will wear Sri Lanka Cricket T-shirts, with the ambition of highlighting Sri Lanka as a cricketing nation at the world famous travel market and thereby attract more and more cricket fans to the island.

Sri Lanka Cricket T-shirts and miniature bats will be distributed to visitors to the stall and SLTPB has also invited the English Cricket Board, main cricket clubs and their presidents to grace the event by contributing to the planned raffle draws. In addition, a program to promote Ceylon Tea will be held at the time of the exhibition, providing a rare chance to the visitors to enjoy a cup of pure Ceylon Tea.