Economic

World Travel Market (WTM), the leading global event of Travel and Tourism Trade kicked off on 6 November at the Excel Exhibition Hall, London, UK promoting international travel throughout the world. 

The event was held for three days from 6 to 8 November. With the intention of promoting Sri Lanka as a renowned destination in world travel, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) with the support of the Sri Lanka High Commission in London participated in the event, along with 73 partners of the industry. 

The main objective of this year’s representation is to provide Sri Lanka travel industry an opportunity to meet, interact and network with travel and tourism industry partners from the UK and around the world to gain immediate competitive advantage for the Sri Lanka travel industry, stay abreast with the latest developments and to disseminate information about Sri Lanka along with the new products and services. 

Sri Lanka pavilion at the WTM was declared open on 6 November by Duchess of Rutland Her Grace Emma Manners, and Tourism Minister Harin Fernando, in the presence of High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom Saroja Sirisena, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau Chairman Thisum Jayasuriya, SriLankan Airlines Country Manager Chinthaka Weerasinghe, other officials of Sri Lanka Tourism and distinguished guests representing the UK travel trade. 

Minister Fernando and the Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman conducted a series of B2B meetings with leading UK travel companies, associations, and travel media during the three days. A press conference by the Sri Lanka Tourism was organised for the UK mainstream and travel media on 7 November at the exhibition venue. 

The Sri Lanka stall showcased traditional Sri Lankan dancing, providing an opportunity for the visitors to get a glimpse of the culturally rich traditions of Sri Lanka performed by a dance troupe based in London, under the overall theme of “You will come back for more”. 

A Ceylon tea counter featured at the Sri Lanka stall to serve freshly brewed Ceylon tea to the visitors to the Sri Lanka stall throughout the three-days. 

Sri Lanka is one of the most sought-after travel destinations among tourists with arrivals surpassed 1 million for 2023, marking a significant milestone after enduring multiple challenges over the past three years. Among the key markets, the United Kingdom has been the second contributor with a share of 11%. 

The participation of Sri Lanka at the WTM-2023 paved the way to project Sri Lanka among leading UK travel and tour companies, bloggers and social media enthusiasts, as a world class destination. WTM attracts more than 50,000 visitors, 5,000 trade partners (exhibitors) and over 3000 journalists around the world each year.

FT

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