Guest of Honour Ambassador Buddhi K. Athauda cutting the ribbon at ILTM Luxury Travel Fair in Cannes, France
Ambassador Athauda addressing ILTM Fair participants
Ambassador of Sri Lanka to France Buddhi K. Athauda was the Guest of Honour at the ILTM Luxury Travel Fair which was held from 3 to 6 December in Cannes, France with the participation of upmarket property owners and luxury travel agents from Sri Lanka as well as the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
The ILTM Fair introduced global travel buyers to an unrivalled collection of international travel experiences. The fair was utilised as a platform for Sri Lanka to do business and build relationships. Consequent to discussions opened by Ambassador Athauda, many reputed Sri Lankan travel companies and their senior management teams participated at the fair and a number of French luxury travel companies initiated partnerships with Sri Lankan companies and identified Sri Lanka as an exotic travel destination with inspiring offers.
Ambassador Athauda attended B2B meetings and media interviews during the day. He met with a number of journalists from French media companies such as ‘La Quotidienne’ and the ‘Riviera Press’ and highlighted that the fair was an opportune moment to project upmarket tourism products of Sri Lanka to high potential international travel trade buyers. During his meetings with tourist companies, Ambassador Athauda highlighted the importance of promoting various tourism types including MICE tourism, encouraging meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions planned in advance which can be held in Sri Lanka, specifically considering the geographical location of Sri Lanka in the globe as well as the various natural touristic resources that could be offered. Accordingly, initial discussions were held to hold several conferences and exhibitions in Sri Lanka by reputed companies.
Ambassador Athauda hosted a dinner for the exhibitors and participants at the fair as well as to representatives of renowned French travel companies and media groups. He also met with the Sri Lanka community members in Cannes and Monaco during his visit.
Sri Lanka Travel Feneteko