Sri Lanka has made a significant impression on the Russian travel and trade community by showcasing its tourism opportunities at the Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition (MITT), which was held in the month of March 2023. The Sri Lankan pavilion was organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
The Sri Lankan stand covered an area of 63 sqm and featured 12 travel industry participants, including, travel experts, tour operators, and hotels. The stand was officially opened by Sri Lankan Ambassador for Russia Prof. Janiatha Liyanage on 16 March 2023, and the event attracted a total of 14,830 visitors, an increase of 60% compared to the previous year’s event. The event was packed with exciting new events and helped attract a target audience of travel industry professionals.
On the final day of the event, Sri Lanka was awarded the prestigious accolade of Most Welcoming Stand of the Year at MITT 2023 by the official fair organizer. Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Russia also held discussions with Russian Airlines on the side-lines of MITT 2023 to increase the frequency of commercial flights, which will boost tourism.
Prof. Janitha Liyanage and SLTPB Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu addressed the forum at a VIP Networking reception held on 16 March, and on 17 March, they organized a networking session along with a media briefing in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Russia. They expressed how Russian arrivals have increased in recent months and what Sri Lanka as a destination has to offer. They also discussed the payment issues faced by Russians traveling to overseas countries due to the sanctions imposed on Russia and what measures have been taken with the People’s Bank in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau is continuing its promotional activities in Russia with the support of the industry, bringing foreign media, bloggers, influencers, and travel agents and attending key promotional events overseas. A six-month PR campaign activity and a two-week short-term social media campaign are also in the pipeline to be implemented as a tactical measure to increase the influx of tourists from Russia.
Sri Lanka Tourism is ready to welcome visitors to enjoy the best of local hospitality coupled with some of the finest products and services to satisfy even the most discerning traveler. Participating at a leading travel show such as MITT 2023 is vital to take the message that the island is safe, secure, and fully equipped to offer the best travel experience in South Asia.
Source: DailyFT
