The Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which is the industry’s leading travel and tourism exhibition within the Middle Eastern and Pan Arab Regions, was held in the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center, UAE, from 22nd to 25th April 2018 celebrating the 25th edition of the ATM.
Over 60 companies in the travel and Tourism industry of Sri Lanka have successfully participated housing under Sri Lanka’s country pavilion at the ATM 2018, promoting Sri Lanka as a key tourist destination having the natural advantages of the highest bio diversity in Asia, backed by a strong culture, historical artefacts, exotic beaches, green environment and friendly people. Sri Lanka participated at this event for the 15th consecutive time.
The Sri Lanka Pavilion at the ATM 2018 was inaugurated on 22nd April 2018 by Hon. John Amaratunga, Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Affairs of Sri Lanka, with ceremonial cutting of tape. This is followed by lighting of the traditional oil lamp amidst the beat of the Sri Lankan drums. The Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Charitha Yattogoda and a large number of business leaders in the tourism industry representing both UAE and Sri Lanka also participated at this event. The traditional Sri Lankan dancing performances were staged at Sri Lanka’s country pavilion attracting visitors at the exhibition towards the pavilion of Sri Lanka.
A well attended press Conference was held on 23rd April 2018 parallel to the travel fair to keep UAE and other international media well informed about the latest developments in relation to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and the current tourism prospects available in the country from the perspective of the potential UAE and other Middle Eastern Travelers.
The ATM brings about 40,000 industry professionals under a single roof, making avenue for generating over US$ 2.5 billion worth of business over four days. In this year, more than 2600 exhibitors, representing over 150 countries participated at the event, providing Sri Lanka with the opportunity to promote itself as a destination with authenticity, compactness and diversity.
Prior to the ATM, two tourism promotional road shows were held on 17th and 19th April in Sharjah and Dubai respectively, with the main objective of giving opportunity for the visiting Sri Lankan travel and tourism related companies to meet their counterparts based in Dubai and Sharjah in holding one to one business meetings with a view to establishing successful business links that will enhance UAE travellers to visit Sri Lanka. Upon successful conclusion of those one to one business meetings, tourism promotion seminar was held in each place. Attending both the events, Charitha Yattogoda, the Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and the Northern Emirates delivered the welcome speech highlighting the importance of Sri Lanka being one of the key out-bound tourism destinations in the region from the perspective of UAE travellers. The Director Marketing of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, made detailed presentations supported by attractive pictures and videos about Sri Lankan tourism in order to make UAE based travel and tourism related companies aware about the latest developments in the tourism industry and the tourism prospects available in the country. A large number of Dubai and Sharjah based travel and tourism related companies attended the two events.
The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai & Northern Emirates coordinated Sri Lanka’s participation at the ATM 2018 as well as Road Shows in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka for Dubai and Northern Emirates
04th May 2018
