Italy is a country of over 60 million population, and is the 08th largest economy in the world. Italy is among the world’s top tourism destinations in both inbound and outbound. Italians consider it as a national tradition to make a vacation – often outside of Italy itself. Italy is the 07th largest market among European countries after UK, Germany, France, Russia, Ukraine and The Netherlands. Sri Lanka has identified Italy as one of the important markets in Southern Europe. It is confirmed with the tourist arrivals which were generated from Italian market so far. Sri Lanka Tourism has generated tourist arrivals of 24,293 in 2015 which is an increase of 15% when compared with year 2014. And up to Sept. 2016, 22,603 tourist arrivals generated from Italy and it is an increase of 27.6% when compared with year 2015. By considering the importance of the Italian market, Sri Lanka Tourism participated at TTG Incontri Travel and Tourism fair in Rimini with 15 industry participants from Sri Lanka.

TTG Incontri is the most important B2B fair for tourism industry. It is a fundamental point of reference for the market; every year it grows in importance, quality of exhibitors / visitors, size and opportunities. An appointment aimed at the real tourism business. TTG Incontri is officially qualified as an international fair and is the only Italian fair which is a member of the ITTFA (International Tourism Trade Fairs Association). It is where international exhibitors meet the demand. It is the place for generating new contacts, launching new products and promoting company image to a target market where more than 70% of the visitors are from companies that distribute Italian and International tourism to the Italian consumer.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau concluded TTG Incontri Travel Fair in Rimini, Italy from 13 – 15 Oct., 2016 with the assistance of Sri Lanka Embassy in Italy.

On the 13^th Oct. TTG Incontri Travel Fair 2016 started with the participation of Sri Lanka Embassy in Italy and the industry members. Sri Lanka stand had a floor area of 100 sqm. The décor used to decorate the stand highlighted all tourism attractions of Sri Lanka which warmly welcomed the visitors and gave them a flavor of perfectly blended culture, heritage and wildlife of Sri Lanka and Stand designed and constructed by “Colorcom” a stand constructor from Italy.

Manmade elephant family with a water filled pond with a wild effect installed inside the stand. It has given an additional value and attraction to the stand. Most of the visitors used it as a photo opportunity.

H E Mr. Daya Pelpola, Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Italy inaugurated Sri Lanka stand at TTG Incontri 2016 on 13^th Oct., the first day of the fair by cutting a ribbon with the representative of Sri Lanka Tourism promotion Bureau and the industry members of Sri Lanka to give a glimpse of Sri Lanka culture.

Taking into consideration the importance of Italy as one of the emerging tourists generating markets in Europe Walkers Tours, Ayubowan Tours & Travels, D Holidays, Authenticities, Jetwing, Ceylon Roots, Aitken Spence Travels, Crystal Holidays, Heritage expediciones, Airwing Tours, Connaissance De Ceylan, Wayfarers, Viluxur Holidays, Diamond Leisure and Shangri-la participated as the co-exhibitors.

All the co-exhibitors at Sri Lanka stand who represented Sri Lanka Tourism industry succeeded in strengthening existing businesses and establishing new business contacts throughout the fair. They were satisfied with quality of business contacts they made during the event. The trade visitors also displayed a particularly keen interest in Sri Lanka as a tourist destination and their response was extremely positive. The positive progress.