Tourism News

SLTPB wins 3rd place for the best exhibitor award at International Travel Bourse (ITB)

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Heralding a thriving era for the tourism industry of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) won the third place at ITB 2013 for being the Best Exhibitor of Asia/Australia/ Oceania division. This award was organized by Cologne Business School which organized awards under several categories including the awards for ex Air services-carriers, Hotels, Travel support and media, Travel organizations, NGOs and Destinations.

Since Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), under the guidance of Hon. Basil Rajapaksa, the Minister of Economic Development, has identified Germany as a Key market among the traditional tourist markets of Sri Lanka, actions were taken to set up an attractive stall in the ITB, inclusive of all the tourism products related to the market of Germany.

The selection process for the above award was based on particular criteria which included design, activities, services, information material and first impression of the pavilion. As per this criterion, Korea and Indonesia ranked first and the second respectively whereas Sri Lanka secured the third place. It was a remarkable achievement compared to the size of the Sri Lankan tourism industry.

Representing Sri Lanka, the ambassador of Sri Lanka to Germany H.E Sarath Kongahage participated in the event while Mr. Rumy Jauffer, the Managing Director of SLTPB received the award on behalf of Sri Lanka Tourism. The event was also colorful with a ‘Kulu Natuma’, a traditional Sri Lankan dance performed by Sri Lankan girls.

Under the guidance of Mr. Bashwara Gunarathna, the chairman of SLTPB, the promotional campaigns in future will focus on promoting Sri Lankan gems and beaches to the German tourists. It has also been scheduled to implement a number of promotional campaigns of this nature, targeting the tourism market of Germany, in future, with the view to attract more tourists to Sri Lanka in the coming years.

The International Travel Brochure, the key travel and trade exhibition among the largest travel exhibitions in the world was held at Berlin, Germany from 6th to 10th of March 2013. Representing Sri Lanka, 64 representatives from 64 travel and tourism agencies participated in this event, making this event to be the one with the largest number of participants ever from Sri Lanka.

Mr.Rumy Jauffer ,Managing Director –SLTPB Receiving the Award