The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, with the assistance of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tel Aviv, organised Sri Lanka’s participation at the 25th International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM 2019) which was held from 12 to 13 February at the Tel Aviv Convention Centre in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The IMTM is the largest annual exhibition for the tourism market in Israel which brings together professionals and service providers from the tourism industry representing many countries and introducing new attractions and tourist destinations. Sri Lanka has been participating in the above market annually.
The Sri Lankan pavilion was jointly declared open with the cutting of a ribbon by Ambassador Periyasamy Pillai Selvaraj and Israel Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin amidst the presence of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Assistant Director Ajantha Rathnayake, Embassy officials, Sri Lankan tour companies and the Israeli visitors. The main objective of the participation of Sri Lanka was to create awareness about Sri Lanka tourism products, promoting Sri Lanka tourism in Israel and portraying the beauty of the paradise island.
Sri Lanka was represented by leading tour companies namely Ceylon Roots, Jetwing Travels Ltd., Deluxe Vacations Ltd., Diethelm Travel Sri Lanka, Elephant Travels & Tours Holdings Ltd., George Steuarts Travel, Nawamini Travels Ltd., Sunway Holidays, The Travel Concierge Sri Lanka and Zenith Expeditions Ltd.
The Sri Lankan booth attracted many visitors and Ceylon tea was served to the visitors to taste. In addition, a documentary film on Sri Lanka’s natural beauty was continuously displayed on both days which fascinated the visitors. Sri Lanka is a popular destination for Israeli tourists. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, arrival of Israeli tourists to Sri Lanka increased by 24.8% in 2018 compared to the year 2017
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