Sri Lanka’s travel hot spots showcased in North America’s largest travel show

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in collaboration with Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington organised a Sri Lanka travel booth at the New York Times Travel Show from 8-10 January at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York with the participation of 10 destination management companies and SriLankan Airlines. 

The colourful Sri Lanka booth was declared open by Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States and Ambassador Dr. Rohan Perera, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ambassador Kariyawasam said that in recent years, Sri Lanka has enjoyed an exponential growth in tourist arrivals. Recognising the value of public - private partnership to harness the full potential of the tourism industry, Sri Lanka intends to undertake a well-coordinated promotional campaign in the US travel market. Although USA is only the ninth rank source of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka at present, with more focused attention to US travellers looking for new and unique destinations, potential for growth in the US market is immense.  

Sri Lanka was featured at the New York Times Travel Industry Conference – Asia Focus that offers comprehensive briefings for travel professionals. Ambassador Kariyawasam participating at this seminar on 8 January at the Jarvits Center highlighted Sri Lanka’s attractive features and compactness coupled with immense diversity. The seminar was well attended by travel professionals.

During the Travel Show, a large number of US travel Industry professionals and consumers had fruitful discussions on future travel opportunities with Sri Lankan destination management companies present, namely, Aitken Spence Travels, Bernard Tours, Ceylon Express International, Lanka Holidays.Net, Lanka Sportreizen (LSR), Lanka Vacation, Serene Vacations Lanka SriLankan Airline and World Travel Centre.