Arabian Travel Market a key platform for Sri Lanka tourism bounce back

Following the 2004 tsunami which affected the country's coastline, SLTB Chairman Mr Udaya Nanayakkara said ATM 2005 - to be held in Dubai, UAE from May 3-6 - would be a key major international trade event in the aggressive campaign to revive Sri Lanka's tourism industry.

As ATM 2005 is expected to be even bigger this year in terms of attendance and exhibition size, the Chairman said Sri Lanka would be well placed to draw industry and public attention to its key marketing campaign.

'SLTB will be working with our industry partners in a collective push to showcase the island's diverse beauty, and the magical experiences on offer in Sri Lanka,' said Mr Nanayakkara.
'Within a few hours of the capital are the cultural triangle, the world famous tea gardens, the cool, lush hill country, the national parks and heritage sites, which take us back over the country's 2,500 year-old history,' he said.
'Sri Lanka's mix of high-end properties, private retreats and rural tranquility, coupled with the vibrancy of the capital Colombo, are all within easy reach of many Middle East capitals,' said the Chairman.

Mr Nanayakkara said The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) this month commended Sri Lanka's tourism industry, highlighting that it is likely to recover faster than that of other tsunami-hit countries as the island nation had taken quick steps to revive the tourism sector.
'Tourism is key to that rebuilding process. A healthy tourist industry will provide jobs and in turn the dignity that will put the world-famous smile back on Sri Lankan faces,' Mr Nanayakkara added.

A special dedicated website - www.bouncebacksrilanka.org - has been launched to provide up-to-date information on new initiatives, events and other activities designed to boost tourism.