Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau for the first time in four years organized the roadshow for the Russian tourism business.
The events took place on March 15, in Moscow and on Marcxh 18 in St. Petersburg.
More than 100 guests attended the events in both cities, tour operators, travel agencies, DMC companies, trade media and other tourism industry representatives. Russia is among the top-10 countries on tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka. 64 497 Russians visited the island in 2018.
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| With the industry participants in St. Petersburg |
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The opening ceremony of the Moscow Business Forum began with the participation of the Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation, Director of Marketing, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Madubhani Perera, representatives of the tour operators and hoteliers Association and also Rossiya Airlines.
Ambassador Jayatilleka in his speech drew particular attention to a huge potential of the Russian market as a destination, in which the SLTPB should carry out promotional activities. Jayatilleka also encouraged the Russian tour operators and Sri Lankan travel agents to work closely together, as they represent one of the major ties between the two countries.
During the presentation in both cities, Director of Marketing of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Madubhani Perera highlighted the touristic facilities of Sri Lanka emphasizing that it is an all year-round destination with rich cultural and historical heritage and also unique nature with tropical forests and pristine beaches.
Madubhani also paid special attention to the fact that the authoritative travel guide, Lonely Planet Awarded Sri Lanka as No 1 travel destination of 2019.
The representatives of the leading Russian air carriers Aeroflot and Rossiya Airlines told the guests about direct flights, inflight services and flight schedule between Moscow and Colombo. The direct flight was launched in October 2018 with Aeroflot Airlines and then since December 17, with Rossiya Airlines service five days a week. Rossiya Airlines operates the flights on Boeing 777-300 and Boeing 777-300ER with a total capacity of 373 and 457 seats respectively. The first aircraft includes 18 business class seats, the second - 21 seats.
The main part of the events in both cities was a business session between travel trade partners from Russia and Sri Lanka. As an effective way to promote Sri Lanka in Russia, travel trade professionals recommended to arrange more FAM-trips for agents, launch an advertising campaign and arrange business seminars in Russia’s main cities. The island was marked as a popular travel point for the Russian tourists among Thailand, Indonesia, China, Maldives, UAE and Vietnam. Events in both cities were ended with Asian-style networking dinners and a raffle draw of exclusive gifts, from Sri Lankan companies, who participated in the roadshow.
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