Positive approach to travel trade highlighted at ITB

by Hiran H. Senewiratne in Berlin

The International Tourism Exchange (ITB) is considered the largest global event for the Travel Industry promoting domestic, inter regional and International travel throughout the world.

This year's event which commenced on March 5 will continue till today in Germany.

In keeping with tradition, Sri Lanka Tourism stakeholders participated in this event with a strong delegation with 46 companies. The local trade visiting ITB this year includes hoteliers, Travel agents and others with tourism related services.

Despite the security concerns in the North and the East of the country, the tourist areas remain to be safe for tourists and the positive approach of the travel trade is evident by the continued participation at crucial professional events such as this, Deputy Minister of Tourism Faiser Musthapa told a media conference.

Arrangements were made to organise a press briefing jointly with the national carrier; SriLankan Airlines targeting the top travel trade and consumer media personnel in Germany. The aim is to make use of this platform to project the positive approach of the tourist industry and the enhancement of the infrastructure, news and trends in the industry for the print and electronic media in Germany to create the maximum awareness about Sri Lanka Tourism way forward.

The future projects and recent structural changes to Sri Lanka Tourism also will be highlighted.

He said there have been various exciting new ventures, attractions and exclusive resorts in Sri Lanka 's tourism scene during the recent past. Therefore, Sri Lanka tourism and all the partners are intent in coming back very strongly and positively presenting the varied attractions, the well- known Sri Lankan hospitality and the Sri Lankan smile to the German and European travel industry this year as well.

Therefore, Sri Lanka Tourism has re-introduced the island destination in keeping with their familiar theme " A Land like no other." Chairman, Tourist Board, Renton De Alwis said that this year has been named as the Year of Consolidation with many promotional activities through the Provincial Governments as well.

He said that Sri Lankan tourism will be based on the mind, body and well being of the person. Therefore, our Ayurvedic treatment method is unique to Sri Lanka and Kerala, which is good for anybody to relieve stress and tension of the mind.

The total area covered by the pavilion of Sri Lanka (sans SriLankan Airlines) is 402my. This year, Sri Lanka's stall was designed to appear more open and inviting to the visitor by adopting an open concept enabling visitors to make easier and more intense contacts with Sri Lankan trade representatives and some varied attractions of the island nation.

This year there are common area booths arranged in a more relaxed atmosphere with lounge areas for meetings and discussions with various attractions of the island depicted on large blow-ups suspended high from the ceiling.

The usual facilities for one-to-one meetings and internet access for the exhibitors to download their e-mails direct at the pavilion are also provided.

A group of six members of the Chandana Wickramasinghe and Dancers Guild 'performed at the Sri Lanka pavilion from March 5-6 (during the consumer days).

The troupe will perform during ITB.All performances took place in front of Sri Lanka Pavilion where the entrance was adorned by a replica of the impressive Watadage doorway and staircase which is a unique monument in Polonnaruwa (XIIth century A.D.) which is one of the seven World Heritage sites in the island.

Arrangements have been also made for the dancers to hold stage performances at the other main stages in the fair grounds to enhance Sri Lanka's presence.

Following ITB, the artistes will also take part in a road show; a series of thematic info-evenings targeting travel agents in several strategic market centres in Germany .We will be further pursue the concept of focusing on the unique attractions such as nature, culture, adventure and Ayurveda to convey the message across to the consumers and trade alike that we are a destination with an intense mixture of all these attractions in addition to the beaches.

This is a must especially in the German market where Sri Lanka is recognised as a beach destination by the majority.

To depict culture, we have constructed a fibre glass model of the ancient Watadage temple (12. AD century) in the Polonnaruwa World Heritage Site. The dancers will perform in front of this structure.

There are also several blow-ups of numerous attractions characteristic of Sri Lanka's product spectrum displayed within the pavilion. The additional feature is a tea boutique placed adjoining the Watadage structure designed as a rural tea boutique.