The wellness pavilion at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2019 was formally inaugurated with the ribbon-cutting and opening ceremony attended by High Commissioner of the Sri Lanka High Commission in UK, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Export Development Board and representatives from the participating companies of the Sri Lanka’s wellness tourism industry.
The following six wellness companies participated at this event to promote Sri Lanka wellness services with the assistance offered by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board.
- Siddhalepa Ayurveda Resort – Wadduwa
- Barberyn Reef Ayurveda Resort – Beruwala
- Heritance Ayurveda Mahagedara – Beruwala
- Breath of Life Lanka Ltd. (Sen Wellness Sanctuary) – Tangalle
- Tree of Life Ltd. – Kandy
- Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilion – Negombo
The EDB in collaboration with the Sri Lanka High Commission in London and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau participated at the World Travel Market (WTM) from 4-6 November at the ExCel London, London, UK. The EDB has organised the participation of wellness sector companies in parallel to the Sri Lanka Tourism Pavilion organised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
The EDB organised this event with the aim of developing and promoting the wellness tourism service sector exports from Sri Lanka to UK, which has been identified as one of the focused sectors in the National Export Strategy (NES). With the view of global positioning of the sector under the country branding ‘So Sri Lanka’ and promoting it in the key target markets, UK has been identified as one of the most prospective markets in Europe with a huge potential for the Sri Lankan wellness tourism sector.
This strategy seeks to make Sri Lanka the preferred destination for wellbeing services offered to the medical tourists. Considering the above strategic objectives, organising this event would be a novel experience for the wellness tourism sector companies to explore the opportunities in the EU market.
The EDB is giving a prominent place for the Sri Lankan wellness tourism sector to achieve its overall goals to earn more foreign exchange revenue to the country. The EDB is also planning to organise similar programs in other countries in future as well to explore business opportunities for the Sri Lankan wellness tourism sector along with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.