Sri Lanka shines in UK in WTM 2016

World Travel Market, popularly known as WTM is one of the leading global events in the Travel and Tourism Trade, attracting more than 35,000 visitors, 5000 exhibitors and over 2000 travel agents and tour operators.

Sri Lanka Tourism along with industry stakeholders showed its grand prestige to the world, at the WTM Trade Fair which started off on the 7th of November 2016. The Sri Lankan pavilion took a cutting edge position with a theme to highlight her sun, sea, sand and wildlife. The colorful pavilion was ceremoniously opened by lighting the traditional Oil Lamp by the distinguished guests, including Hon. John Amarathunga, Minister of Tourism Development, Christian Religious Affairs and Lands, and also Mr. Paddy Withana, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. Sixty-two Sri Lankan companies participated at the fair to promote Sri Lanka as a great tourist destination.

This year, another key highlight was the Road Shows arranged in the lead up to WTM. SLTPB unveiled its calendar of UK road shows for 2016 by having B2b trade events in Manchester, Birmingham and London bringing Sri Lanka's pride and glory as a popular tourist destination, as well as the latest news and selling tips for this increasingly popular destination to the travel trade.

UK continues to be the No.1 tourist arrivals from Europe to Sri Lanka. In the ten months to October 2016, the total arrivals from the UK was at 154,376, which was a 17% increase compared to the same period last year.

Photographs by Praneeth Hettiarachchi.