ITB opens venues for Sri Lanka Tourism

Ayurveda and a treasured island beyond beaches and nature's cultured adventures were the sentiments expressed as 'Destination Sri Lanka' was showcased to the world at the travel and tourism event, the ITB Berlin fair, earlier this month.

“It was also a remarkable victory for Sri Lanka Tourism as it also won the second place (Silver) in the Stalls Competition at ITB apart from being lauded for its contribution to tourism. The stall had a green theme with an open concept, featuring Sri Lanka UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Singharaja virgin rain forest including special features like service of free ayurvedic foot massages, a tea service, a wood mask carver in action with a backdrop sounds of chirping endemic birds of Sri Lanka, made it an easy win next to Korea which won the gold,” Sri Lanka Tourism said.

The International Tourism Exchange (ITB) is considered the largest global event for the Travel Industry promoting domestic, inter-regional and International travel throughout the world. About a 160 strong Sri Lankan delegation from 48 Sri Lankan tourism stakeholders kick started their business at the Sri Lanka Pavilion on a positive note. At the travel fair, Three Top German Tour Operators (Gold: FTI Touristik; Silver: Thomas Cook Group; Bronze: Meier’s Weltreisen) Best Newcomer and Best Special Interest Operators bagged Sri Lanka Tourism Awards for their performance during the year 2007.

The awards were presented to the winning operators by the Chief Minister of Central Province Sarath Ekanayake, Deputy Minister of Tourism Faiszer Musthapha, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Germany, T.B.Maduwegedara and Managing Director, SLTPB, Dileep Mudadeniya and President of the Tourist Hotels Association, Hiran Cooray.