The Sri Lankan Embassy in Sweden conducted a tourist outreach promotional event titled ‘A Glimpse of Sri Lanka’ on the 13 August at the Wallenbergs Torg in Stockholm, an open air venue located in the city’s centre.
This central location made it convenient for city dwellers, tourists and all passersby to spare a moment of their time on the sunny weekend to witness several aspects of culture and tourism that Sri Lanka has to offer the world.
Since the sunny weather conditions prevailing in Scandinavia at this time of the year usually provoke a festive mood and motivate people to think about their next holiday destination, the embassy seized the opportunity to conduct the event in August during the height of summer.
The large LED digital screen placed at the venue by the embassy relayed cultural and tourism information on Sri Lanka, allowing visitors to consider having their next holiday in the country.
The sprawling extent of the area at Wallenbergs Torg offered the embassy the flexibility to display posters and other cultural artefacts of Sri Lanka illustrating the beauty and rich culture the country is endowed with.
Introducing Sri Lankan music to the public and adding more colour and vibrancy to the event, a group of Sri Lankan expatriates, clad in typical batik sarongs and straw hats, joined together in song, much to the delight of those present at the occasion.
The information centre set up at the venue by the embassy distributed tourist brochures to several inquiring visitors. A culinary demonstration where hoppers and dosa were prepared drew a large crowd interested in Sri Lankan cuisine. The visitors savoured the flavours of other varieties of Sri Lankan food as well.
Other attractions included the tea stall containing an assortment of Ceylon tea presented artistically to generate interest among onlookers curious to learn more this precious commodity. The slightly chilly afternoon, combined with the comfortable seating arrangements made available at the stall, created the perfect ambiance for the visitors to sit back and enjoy a relaxed conversation with their friends over a cup of Ceylon tea.
The Wallenbergs Torg was made accessible to the Sri Lanka Embassy on the basis of an agreement the embassy reached with the Stockholm Stad (the municipality of Stockholm Organization).
The Ministry of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Ceylon Tea Board played a pivotal role in assisting the Sri Lankan Embassy in Stockholm to bring the event to fruition. Many Sri Lankan expatriates extended their support towards the event in numerous ways.
The embassy conducted the event to reach out directly to the client, which is considered one of the most effective methods of promoting tourism.
In consonance with the title of the event ‘A Glimpse of Sri Lanka’, this activity helped promote Sri Lanka as one of the exquisite destinations in the world.
Sri Lanka Travel Feneteko