Financial Times

Guests were given an excellent insight into Sri Lanka’s multi cultural facts through well-thought out and choreographed items which started with a “Buddhanu Bhavana” and was followed by a Hindu Religious Ritual Folk Dance, Low Country Ritual Dance, “Dheevara Geethaya – Song of the Fisherman, an encapsulated version of the Kandy Perehera as well as a Tea Country Dance, Kawadi Dance, Arabic Dance and the “Kaparinghna” dance. “Song of Sri Lanka Tourism” – provided a grand finale to the evening’s programme.

The “Sri Lanka – Gateway to South Asia” Travel Mart held in Colombo from June 16 to 18 drew almost 100 buyers from 25 countries worldwide, the Tourist Board said. “What is especially significant is that around 55% of the buyers were from new markets such as the US, Australia, ASEAN countries, the Middle East and China,” said Malraj B. Kiriella, Director Marketing at the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.

Around 90 exhibitors showcased the diverse attractions available to visitors to Sri Lanka as well as to the region, focusing on this island being the Gateway to South Asia.

Among the awards presented, the Grand Oriental Hotel won the award for the “Most Attractive Local Booth (Travel and Tourism), while Tourism Malaysia won the award for the “Most Attractive International Booth” (Travel and Tourism). In the other sectors, Gajasinhala won the award for the “Most Attractive Booth” (Other Sectors).

While the Northeast Provincial Council walked away with the award for the “Most Attractive Provincial Tourism Authority Booth”. Winners received an attractive plaque and one booth free at the 2007 mart.

The board statement said that of the buyers, 90% rated services from good and above, out of which 24% said it was excellent, and 36% as “very good”. Categories in this section included supplying of information, airport reception, accommodation and ground transportation facilities, Technical Seminar, appointment scheduling, business sessions, liaison officers services and the complementary tour.

Of the exhibitors 88% noted that services were good, of which 17% rated services as excellent and 33% as “very good”. Categories here included exhibitor facilities, appointment scheduling, business sessions, supplying of information and coordination.

A Technical Seminar on “Tourism: New Trends, New Opportunities”, provided participants with an in-depth study of prevailing conditions in the industry. Keynote speakers were Roger Carter, Managing Director, Tourism Enterprise and Management (TEAM) UK and UNWTO Consultant who spoke on “New Trends in Tourism e-commerce,” Ken Scott, Managing Director of ScottAsia Communications and former Director/Communications of PATA who spoke on “How to have a speedy recovery from a crisis.”

Ms. Kate Chang, PATA Permanent Representative in Beijing, China addressed the topic of “Emerging China” while Shriji Arvind Singhji Mewar, the Maharana of Mewar, India spoke with knowledge and insight on a subject close to his heart – “Heritage Homes”. International exhibitors included Delhi Tourism in India, Egyptian Tourism, Tourism Malaysia in India.

The next “Sri Lanka – Gateway to South Asia” Mart would be held from June 1t to 3, 2007 based on the theme of “Nature”.