Expo 2012: a huge boost for Sri Lanka Tourism

Expo 2012, organized by the Export Development Board, provided an ideal opportunity to Sri Lanka Tourism industry to promote its product to the International Market.

At the end of the event, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) had been able to achieve its targets successfully. The stall of the SLTPB was one of the eye catchers in the event as it symbolized the unique Sri Lankan identity.

The visitors to the stall were entertained by the displays of practical craftsmanship of Sri Lankan masks, beeralu lace making and others. During the 4 days of the exhibition, the stall was also filled with mesmerizing cultural performances by the cultural dance troupes of Kirindiwela central college and Minuwangoda Nalanda Balika Vidyalaya in Gampaha district which was organized by Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau under the Ministry of Economic Development.

Having foreseen the ideal opportunity of this event to the industry of tourism in Sri Lanka, SLTPB had already taken steps to establish an information desk in its stall, with the focus of providing information to the local and foreign investors.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, along with the EDB also took steps to facilitate 50 international journalists and 55 international travel agents to participate in Expo 2012.

Addition from the success of Expo 2012, Sri Lanka Tourism witnessed one to one meetings between the Sri Lankan and Foreign Tour operators achieving the expected goals. These meetings provided an excellent opportunity for local travel agents to cooperate with their international counterparts and thereby to develop and promote the products.

These journalists and tour operated represented many countries of the world including Russia, USA, UK, Germany, France , China and many other East Asian nations.

SLTPB plans to organize many other events of this nature in future, with the target of achieving the number of 950,000 tourists arrivals by the end of 2012.