Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, in collaboration with the Sri Lankan High Commission in India, participated at the prestigious Outbound Travel Mart (OTM), India’s leading outbound travel trade exhibition, generating strong momentum for Sri Lanka as a preferred destination in the Indian market. The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Hon. Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, joined by Mr. Dheera Hettiarachchi, Chairman SLITHM & SLCB,  Mr. Dushan Wickramasuriya, Director Marketing SLTPB, and Ms. Shirani Herath, Officer in charge of the Indian Market. A large number of local industry stakeholders also took part, promoting Sri Lanka’s unique travel products. The pavilion was officially inaugurated by the Deputy Minister on 5th February, 2026.

The Sri Lanka pavilion, spanning 400 square meters, was shared by 80 travel and tourism companies and showcased the country’s diverse offerings to the Indian outbound trade. It attracted strong attention throughout the day, creating positive business momentum and encouraging B2B engagements between Sri Lankan exhibitors and Indian tour operators.

Parallel to the exhibition, Prof. Ranasinghe joined a high-profile panel discussion titled “India Takes Its Place on the Global Travel Stage”, organized by OTM. The discussion highlighted global travel trends, India’s growing outbound market, and opportunities for regional collaboration, with Sri Lanka positioned as a key beneficiary of India’s expanding footprint.

In addition, the deputy minister held several productive meetings with Indian travel trade representatives and leading media organizations, reinforcing bilateral cooperation and destination promotion. He also gave an exclusive interview to CNBC at the Sri Lanka Pavilion, sharing insights on Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery, future strategies, and the importance of the Indian market.

Before inaugurating the pavilion, Prof. Ranasinghe was interviewed at the Times of India studio, where he elaborated on Sri Lanka’s tourism potential, new developments, and initiatives to attract Indian travelers.

The Hon . Deputy Minister of Tourism and Director Marketing SLTPB in conversation with a participant