Sri Lanka targets UAE as a key tourism market at Arabian Travel Market 2024

Sri Lanka made a significant presence at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 in Dubai highlighting the island nation’s diverse attractions and offerings. The Sri Lanka pavilion at ATM 2024 was organized by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB).

Arabian Travel Market was one of the leading global events for the travel and tourism sector, held from 06 to 09 May 2024. Over 41,000 attendees visited the annual trade show, which featured 2,300 exhibitors from 165 countries. .

The Sri Lanka pavilion was inaugurated by dignitaries including the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE Udaya Indrarathna, Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates Alexi Gunasekera, Chairman of SLTPB Chalaka Gajabahu alongside other key officials. With over 60 travel agents, Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and leading hotels and resorts from Sri Lanka participating, the country aimed to showcase its unique tourism potential to the diverse and cosmopolitan market of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as well as to the international audience.

With a view to enhancing air connectivity and facilitating seamless travel experiences between the two countries a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Emirates Airlines at the Arabian Travel Market 2024 on 07 May 2024. The MoU was signed by the Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West Asia and Indian Ocean, in the presence of Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs Harin Fernando, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the UAE and the Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai & Northern Emirates.

A press conference by Minister Fernando was held on 07 May 2024, to highlight Sri Lanka tourism potential and the collaborative efforts with the UAE stakeholders to boost tourist arrivals.