SLTB to use Arabian ATM as spin off for SL tourism

The Sri Lanka Tourism(SLTB)  said that  it will  use  the  annual Arabian Travel Mart(ATM) 2009  the largest trade  and consumer  travel show  which is expected to kick off today  in UAE as a platform to boost the country’s post–conflict image in tourism promotion in the region.

SLTB  said that over 70 state and private sector participants are expected to represent Sri Lanka at the show which would be held from 5 to 8 May in Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, United Arab Emirates.

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the largest annual trade and consumer travel show in the Gulf region, which provides individual travel organizations and hospitality providers the opportunity to meet with travel trade from the entire Pan-Arab region and the wider audience from around the globe. This year’s contingent is the largest ever from Sri Lanka.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism Faizer Musthapha heads the Sri Lankan delegation to Dubai. Being held for the 15th consecutive year, ATM 2009 is the industry’s leading travel and tourism exhibition dedicated to unlock the business potential within the Middle Eastern and Pan Arabian regions.

Uniting key market players from six continents, ATM 2009 will consist of intensive meetings, seminars, press conferences and social networking opportunities.

This year’s ATM will aim to create awareness of Sri Lanka and induce tourists to visit the country during the summer holidays, encourage travel agents and tour operators who are presently working with Sri Lankan operators to increase the number of visits to Sri Lanka, to contact with new operators and persuade them to sell the destination, to tie up with regional press to promote Sri Lanka through media interviews, and to get more publicity through news paper articles and television interviews.

Sri Lanka Tourism has been participating at this event since 2003 along with the members of the travel and tourism industry in Sri Lanka. This year, 25 private sector companies will be participating at the event, along with the Deputy Minister of Tourism, and related officials.

A media conference will be held today ( May 6), at the exhibition venue, where a large gathering representing media personnel from the Gulf region are expected to participate. The re-branding of Sri Lanka Tourism, is to be announced at this event. The cutural performances are to be organized during all four days of the exhibition with the participation of artistes from the Channa & Upuli Performing Arts Foundation. A free tea serving counter will be in place at the Sri Lanka stand throughout the event, along with a gost of other activities to promote the country.