KUWAIT — Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau is set to launch a promotional roadshow that will see a delegation of Sri Lanka Tourism officials, as well as Sri Lanka’s leading hotels and tourism stakeholders, to visit the cities of Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar, as part of an ongoing effort to develop the number of tourists visiting the emerald island from the four GCC cities. The Tourism Promotion kicked off Sunday night in Kuwait and will continue to other GCC cities until Oct. 18, 2017 and is expected to attract up to 50 of the leading travel and tourism companies in each of the cities.

A total of 19 industry partners from Sri Lanka-based tourism and hospitality entities will join the roadshow to promote the country’s unique hospitality services and attractions including; Aitken Spence Travels, Araliya Green Hills Hotel, Asian Adventures Travel Management Company, B.O.C Travels, Diethelm Travel Group, Exotic Global Holidays, Figco Lanka Holidays, Fun Holidays, Hamoos Travels, Hayleys Tours, Jetwing Travels, Mandarina Colombo Hotel, Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa, Movenpick Hotel Colombo, NKAR Travels & Tours, Sunway Holidays, Tangerine Tours, Viluxur Holidays and World Travel Center Colombo. As part of the promotional activities Kuwaiti, Bahraini, Omani and Qatari travel agents and tourism professionals will be provided the latest information and updates on Sri Lanka’s touristic offerings through presentations, workshops and a series of business development meetings.

Ms. Madubhani Perera, Director, Marketing, said: "Sri Lanka is one of the preferred destinations for Gulf tourists as we offer a distinctive, adventure-packed, eco-friendly, family-focused experience and offering. With our rich nature, heritage and culture, year-round schedule of festivals and special events, numerous parks and eco centers, luxury resorts and wellness centres, Sri Lanka has many reasons for GCC families to return to Sri Lanka again and again.”

During 2016, Sri Lanka received a total of 107,635 tourists from Middle East region where 13,268 Omani Tourists have travelled to Sri Lanka while 5726 Kuwaiti tourists, 2887 Bahraini tourists and 1709 Qatari tourists visiting the country, Sri Lanka aims to double these numbers and achieve 20% increase from Middle East region.

Saudi Arabia make up the largest number of GCC tourists to Sri Lanka followed by Oman and UAE as second and third largest number of GCC tourists to Sri Lanka.

Ms. Perera further said "Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar remain integral target markets for Sri Lanka’s tourism development. The upcoming roadshow is one of many major activities Sri Lanka tourism conducts to ensure that key international travel agents maintain a close awareness and link with Sri Lanka’s tourism industry partners, in order to mutually expand the business opportunities between both, while offering their clients quality tourism experiences. Through such a mission to four GCC countries our expectations are that travel to Sri Lanka from these markets will continue to grow and thrive, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s status as a world-class destination for eco-tourism, cultural and family tourism.”

The Sri Lanka Tourism promotional roadshow kicked off at the JW Marriott Kuwait on Oct. 15 before moving on to Downtown Rotana Bahrain on Oct. 16, Interontinental Muscat on Oct. 17 and finishing up at the Marriott Marquis Doha City Center on Oct.18. — SG