Sri Lanka Tourism’s recent roadshow in India was a resounding success, the Ministry of Tourism said in a statement.
The Tourism Ministry said Sri Lanka Tourism had embarked on a roadshow in three key cities in India namely New Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.
It was conducted to highlight the multifaceted tourism offered along with stressing the message that Sri Lanka is safe, open for business, and ready to welcome the discerning traveler.
The key partners who facilitated the industry to make the program successful were the national carrier, Sri Lankan airlines, and MasterCard.
India remains a key tourism-generating market generating over 80,000 tourist arrivals up to September and it is expected to increase by 2023. India has been an advocate of Sri Lanka; supporting both the tourism industry and the country at large both post-pandemic and during the recent economic crisis fostering close relations between the two nations.
The first roadshow was held on 26th September 2022 at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi and attended by over 200 Indian Travel trade along with 22 members from the Indian media. Successful talks with the President of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Jyoti Mayal resulted in a pledge to support Sri Lanka and accolades to affirm the support of TAAI in the coming months.
Meetings with Airline representatives from Air India, Indigo, and Alliance Air resulted in the commitment to commence operations in Colombo and Minister Harin Fernando pledged his support to streamline and facilitate the process.
Concurrently meetings with MasterCard India and Makemytrip to further promote the destination resulted in mutually viable propositions for cross-promotional activities.
On 28th September 2022, Sri Lanka Tourism organized a Road Show in Mumbai at the St. Regis hotel there too with over 200 agents and 20 Indian media. Cricket legend Sanath Jayasuriya was warmly welcomed and he rendered a heartwarming message encouraging visitors to experience the best of what Sri Lanka has to offer not only as a nation that produces some of the best sportsmen but as a country that has diversity in culture, nature, and adventure to please a cross-section of travelers. A round of corporate meetings with Thomas Cook and other leading agents were also on the agenda.
The third Tourism Road Show was organized on 30th September 2022 at the Taj Krishna hotel Hyderabad with the participation of 204 Indian Travel Trade and 10 media personnel. Key highlights of the event in Hyderabad were the meeting with CNN to encourage media publicity across the global electronic media giants network and negotiations with Indian carrier Spice Jet.
A very successful round of talks with Telegu Film producers derived positive results with Sri Lanka being recognized as an ideal film location. Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister pledged his support to simplify the process of approvals and introduce a single window process that would make coordination of such activities less time-consuming and effective.
Over 50 Sri Lankan travel trade members comprising travel agents and hotel representatives attended the road shows in support of the government’s initiative to drive tourism. The target audience at these roadshows were Tour operators, MICE Agents, Media, Key influencers, Corporates and Trade Associations, and key tourism Industry stakeholders in India, who have the ability to take the message that Sri Lanka is not only one of the most beautiful countries but is also safe and secure; adhering to all the necessary health and safety guidelines. More than 600 Indian Trade delegations and 52 media participated in the events.
The Sri Lanka delegation was accompanied by Mr. Chalaka Gajabahu, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, and Mr. Thisum Jayasuriya, Chairman of Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau.
Each roadshow included B2B Sessions facilitating numerous discussions followed by an Evening Networking event to help foster closer business relations. During the roadshows, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Tourism met several high profiled Business leaders, Tourism Stakeholders, and Corporates while engaging in several media interviews with leading Indian media houses. The “Gayan Srimal Dance troupe added glamour to the events in each city.
The launch of Sri Lanka’s promotional tour packages in collaboration with SLAITO, THASL & SriLankan Airlines was also launched during the roadshows. A raffle draw was organized in each city and offered promotional and visitor packages by the local industry participants. Sri Lanka has a myriad of products and services to offer Indian travellers. The highlight of the events was to create a positive mindset while delivering a strategic message that the island is poised to offer guests the best of Sri Lankan hospitality coupled with an unparalleled guest experience in the heart of the Indian ocean. (NewsWire)