The 22nd edition, of the Arabian Travel Market boasted with more than nearly 3,000 exhibitors and stand-sharers, from nearly 100 countries will open today at Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre. The event would conclude on Thursday.
Sri Lanka Tourism has been participating at this event since 2003 along with the members of the travel and tourism industry in Sri Lanka and this is our 12th consecutive year of participation at the event with an expected number of 53co-exhibiting industry participants.
Dushan Wickramasuriya from Sri Lanka Tourism who is representing Sri Lanka Tourism said that this year the theme of the event would be wild life as there was a great response from the Gulf for this segment. “In addition this year Sri Lankan Tea board would have a stall providing free tea for any person”, he added.
He said that marketing in the Gulf is very important for Sri Lanka as the market can also target the large expatriate community. “We have being participating for the event for a long time and the results have being pleasing as we see a growth in the excess of 40% last year”, he noted. This annual tourism and hospitality event set to break all previous records with over 2,700 exhibitors, 68 national pavilions, 40 seminar and technology theatre sessions and over 21,000 trade visitors being expected.
The show has grown by 8% since 2013 and will welcome over 2,700 exhibitors, with 420 main stand holders and exhibitors from 83 countries as well as 68 national pavilions.
Record-breaking visitor numbers are also forecasted with over 21,000 local, regional and international industry professionals expected to attend. “89% took an overseas holiday in the last year with India, USA, Turkey, Maldives and France as the most popular destinations, commented Marcello Baricordi, General Manager UAE and Global Accounts Lead at Visa Inc. MENA.
Airwing Tours Ltd, Aitken Spence Hotel Managements (Pvt) Ltd, Aitken Spence Travels (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lankan Airlines, Amaya Leisure Plc. (Amaya Resorts & Spas), Andrew the Travel Company Pvt Ltd, Asia Leisure (Pvt) Ltd, Asian Adventures, Autumn Lanka Travels (Pvt) Ltd, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, Citrus Leisure Plc, Connaissance De Ceylan (Pvt) Ltd, Crystal Holidays (pvt)Ltd, Diamond Leisure Pvt Ltd, Diethelm Travel Sri Lanka (pvt) Ltd, Eastern Hotel Developers (Pvt) Ltd, (Pigeon Island Beach Resort), Exotic Global Holidays (Pvt) Ltd, Explore Asia Holidays, Gemini Tours & Travels, Get Into Lanka Travels & Tours, Goldi Sands Hotels (Pvt) Ltd / Suriya, Luxury Resort, Hawk Travels (pvt) Ltd, Hayleys Tours, Hilton Colombo Residence, Hilton Hotel Colombo, Island Leisue Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Jetwing Travels & Hotels, Lanka Holidays. Net (Pvt) Ltd, Lanka Vacations (pvt) Ltd, LOLC Leisure Ltd, Luxe Asia & ceylon hotels, cooperation, Madulkelle Hotels & Lodges Pvt Ltd, Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Mandara Hotels / Rozen Tours, Mount Lavinia Hotel, NKAR Travels & Tours (Pvt) Ltd, Pandanus Beach Resort & Spa, Resplendend Ceylon Pvt Ltd (Tea Trails), Royal Holidays ,Serandib Leisure Management Ltd, Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health Resort, Skymark Travels, Sunway Holidays, The Grand Hotel, Taprospa Spas Resorts, The Blue Water Hotel, The Elephant Corridor Hotel, The Galadari Hotel Colombo, The Kingsbury, United Holidays (pvt)Ltd, Walkers Tours Ltd, World Travel Centre Colombo (Pvt) Ltd
Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=business/arabian-travel-market-opens-today
Sri Lanka Travel Feneteko