An unbroken 50-year partnership, peace, security, respect for human rights and Sri Lanka’s many tourist attractions were the main highlights of an exclusive press conference organised by Sri Lanka Tourism as part of its ITB program in Berlin on 9 March.
The press conference attracted a large number of international journalists and travel writers which was a clear indication of the interest generated by the German media on Sri Lanka.
The press conference was chaired by Minister of Tourism Development, Lands and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga. Others at the head table were Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany Karunathilaka Amunugama, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism, Paddy Withana, President, Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), Devindre Senaratne, President, The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), Sanath Ukwatte and President, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka (ASMET), Rohan Abeywickrama.
Minister Amaratunga highlighted the fact that Sri Lanka was participating at ITB for the 50th consecutive year this year and that as a result of it a strong relationship had developed between the two countries. He pointed out that Vogue Magazine (France) had described Sri Lanka as one of the most fashionable destinations to visit in its latest issue. He said that this was a very positive sign for the country’s tourism industry.
“Sri Lanka has many luxury hotels and the list is growing. The country’s compactness, diversity and authenticity are unique. This is what makes Sri Lanka the perfect destination for leisure travelers,” the Minister said. “The current government does not have any enemies and had made friends around the world. Democracy has been restored along with respect for human rights. Sri Lanka is now a safe haven for tourists and everybody is free to move about,” he told the packed press conference.
The Minister drew attention to Sri Lanka’s own travel fair, Gateway to South Asia 2017’ which is to take place from 4 to 7 May in Colombo. “I would like to invite journalists to attend ‘Gateway to South Asia’ International Travel Fair in Colombo in May and experience first-hand all that Sri Lanka has to offer.”
In a ground breaking move, the Public Relations team of Sri Lanka Tourism launched a special program at the Sri Lanka Pavilion to attract top journalists and bloggers to Sri Lanka. Under the visiting journalists and bloggers program of Sri Lanka Tourism, high profile journalists will be invited to Sri Lanka on fully sponsored familiarisation tours in return for media coverage in international publications.
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