Sri Lanka targets honeymooner's paradise at WTM 2012
Around 53 travel and tourism and hoteliers including eight SMEbased companies participated at this year’s World Travel Mart (WTM), Sri Lankan tourism authorities said.
They said in a media statement that this year the uniqueness of the Sri Lanka Pavilion highlighted the traditional marriage ceremony showcasing the country as a honeymooner’s paradise. Highlighting Sri Lankan culture to the world, Sri Lanka Tourism was involved in presenting the unique customs and traditions carried out during a traditional marriage ceremony on the island nation.
In addition, the release noted there was a promotion of the island destination as a key cricketing nation inviting visitors to enjoy the sport in Colombo while touring the country. Interestingly, for the first time in a number of years Bhashawara Senaka Gunathilaka, chairman of the tourism authority in Sri Lanka participa- ted in the event along with the Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.
The Promotion Bureau readied plans to showcase the country as a cricketing destination with Sri Lanka Cricket T-Shirts and miniature bats were distributed to visitors to the stall and the SLTPB also invited English Cricket Board, Main Cricket Clubs and their Presidents to grace the event by contributing to the planned raffle draws.
Other features at this year’s WTM were a taste of Pure Ceylon tea to visitors to the pavilion, it said.
The WTM, the release said, attracts more than 30,000 visitors, 5,000 trade partners (exhibitors) and over 3000 journalists around the world each year. More than 1000 travel agents, including over 200 tour operators, were also expected to attend this travel fair to market Sri Lanka’s booming industry of tourism in the post-conflict period.