Financial Times

At least 13 institutions have extended their co-operation to make this year’s “Sri Lanka – Gateway to South Asia” Travel Mart the biggest and most successful held in the four year run of this mega event, the Sri Lanka Tourist Board said.

“Participating at this event from 16th to 18th June 2006 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike International Exhibition Centre will provide exhibitors the opportunity of meeting a new segment of buyers,” said Malraj B. Kiriella, the board’s Director Marketing. He explains that in addition to the traditional markets, exhibitors will have the opportunity to meet buyers from new markets such as Eastern Europe, and ASEAN countries,etc, as well as potential markets such as the US, Australia, China and Japan. “In fact, there are over 100 buyers from the above segments have already confirmed their participation at this event,” he said.

Around 150 exhibiting companies from South Asia are being targeted. Of these booths, around 60 percent have already confirmed participation. Exhibition Hall A is reserved for travel and tourism related companies while Hall B will be dedicated for supporting sections of the tourism industry such as gems, handicrafts, IT and communications, apparel, souvenirs, tea and relevant provincial tourism authorities. Additionally small and medium scale enterprises will be accommodated in booths on the outer perimeter of the exhibition centre for a period of 1½ days during the Travel Mart.

Special awards will be presented to selected booths in various categories,” said Kiriella.

The categories are Most Attractive Travel and Tourism (International) Booth, Most Attractive Travel and Tourism (Local) Booth – Most Attractive Booth – Other Sectors,” and Most Attractive Booth – Provincial Tourism and Government Authorities.

The theme of this year’s Travel Mart is "Peace, Eternity, Prosperity Purity and Knowledge". The icon selected for last year’s Travel Mart was the "Guard Stone" which projected the image of Sri Lanka’s heritage. This year the colourful and attractive “Sesatha” has been selected for the purpose of promoting Sri Lanka’s culture. The Sesatha is a ceremonial flag dating back to the period when the first Bo-sapling was brought to Sri Lanka, developing over the centuries in to a ceremonial flag used at royal and religious functions, the board statement said.

The programme for the Travel Mart has been created to suit all segments of buyers and sellers. Among the planned items, a Professional Development Seminar on "Tourism: New Trends: New Opportunities" is expected to attract considerable attention and participation. "This seminar will serve as an educational platform to assist both buyers and exhibitors gain a better insight in to the Sri Lankan and South Asian markets," said Kiriella adding: "The topics will place emphasis on the South Asian Market and include presentations from prominent industry professionals from UNWTO, PATA and international and local experts in the relevant fields." Selected topics include E-Commerce, Adventure and Sports Tourism, Boutique Hotels & Heritage Homes, Crisis and Recovery, Emerging China and Online Advertising and Promotions.

The board said the aim of the Travel Mart is to attract new buyers to visit Sri Lanka while consolidating connections with existing buyers. To achieve this, the Mart provides these buyers and operators with an encapsulated version of the diverse attractions Sri Lanka has to offer visitors.