Kuwait roadshow by Sri Lanka Tourism a grand success

Prominent among the Kuwaiti delegates who attended the event included His Excellency Ambassador Khalid Mohammad Al Maqamis, Director of Follow-up & Coordination and Acting Director of Asia Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ms Majda Behbehani, Director of Marketing & Foreign Relations (Tourism Sector), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Addressing the gathering, Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Tourism, HE Faiszer Mustapha said, "The diversity that Sri Lanka offers in places, culture and climates, the golden beaches, hill country and tea plantations, from tropical beach climate to a cool misty mountains known as little England in a matter of two-three hours is our unique offering."

HE Mustapha added that Sri Lanka offers diversity within 25,000 square miles. "We are now well geared to cater to the Kuwaiti tourist. We have cultural similarities that go back 1500 years. We have an 8% Muslim population and profess the Islamic faith and Halal foods and mosques are not an issue and I would say to the Kuwaitis that Sri Lanka is a home away from home therefore please visit Sri Lanka and sample our hospitality."

Bucking global economic recession and a downward spiral in the tourism industry worldwide, Middle East travellers visiting Sri Lanka surged by 24% in 2008 according to SLTPB's Middle East Office.

Factors such as government support for the tourism sector, and expansion of low-cost carrier services are also contributing to the growth of the industry.

The tourism industry is one of Sri Lanka's economic pillars and is keen to develop business from the Middle East region by enhancing its position as a tropical paradise.