Sri Lanka made a significant presence at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 in Dubai highlighting the country’s attractions and offerings. The Sri Lanka pavilion at ATM 2024 was organised by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB).
Arabian Travel Market was one of the leading global events for the travel and tourism sector, held last week. Over 41,000 attendees visited the annual trade show, which featured 2,300 exhibitors from 165 countries. This year, ATM was centred on the theme ‘Empowering Innovation – Transforming Travel through Entrepreneurship’.
The Sri Lanka pavilion was inaugurated by dignitaries including the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE Udaya Indrarathna, Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates Alexi Gunasekera, Chairman of SLTPB Chalaka Gajabahu alongside other key officials. With over 60 travel agents, Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and leading hotels and resorts from Sri Lanka participating, the country aimed to showcase its unique tourism potential to the diverse and cosmopolitan market of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as well as to the international audience.
With a view to enhancing air connectivity and facilitating seamless travel experiences between the two countries a MoU was signed with the Emirates Airlines at the Arabian Travel Market 2024 on May 7. The MoU was signed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman and Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West Asia and Indian Ocean, in the presence of Tourism, Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Harin Fernando, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the UAE and the Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates.
A press briefing by Minister Fernando was held to highlight Sri Lanka tourism potential and the collaborative efforts with the UAE stakeholders to boost tourist arrivals.
The SLTPB Chairman emphasized Sri Lanka’s new destination branding ‘You will come back for more’, inviting everyone to experience the country first-hand.
The Tourism Minister announced that Sri Lanka has made significant progress in re-establishing its tourism industry after Covid-19, with the support of airlines. He also highlighted the recent opening of the luxurious ITC Rathnadipa hotel in Colombo, as well as the availability of several other high-class hotels and 700 villas around the country that offer personalised experiences and diversified adventures for tourists.
Ambassador Udaya Indrarathna said that coordinated efforts are being made to enhance Sri Lanka’s tourism industry in a sustainable way.
Consul General Alexi Gunasekera emphasised the UAE’s significance as a hub for luxury tourism, independence and leisure tourism, as well as MICE tourism. He underscored the importance of events like ATM as platforms for networking and sharing best practices within the tourism industry.
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