World Travel Market (WTM), the leading global event of Travel and Tourism Trade, is scheduled to kick off today (November 5) at the Excel Exhibition Hall, London.

Having foreseen the unique opportunity to promote Sri Lanka as a renowned destination in world travel, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) will be participating in the event, along with 53 partners of the industry. The delegation, comprised with the industry partners and the officials representing the government of Sri Lanka, will be led by Deputy Minister of Economic Development Laksman Yapa Abeywardana. The SLTPB Chairman, Bhashwara Senanka Gunathilaka is also participating in this event.

During the period of the event, a number of exclusive media interviews will take place with the view of promoting Sri Lanka under the Main theme of ‘Wonder of Asia’, whilst enhancing the two sub themes of promoting Sri Lanka as an ideal destination for Weddings & Honeymoons and as a destination for Cricket.

Accordingly, in the first two days of the exhibition, a traditional wedding ceremony, enriched with custom, will be featured at the stall, providing a very good opportunity for the visitors to get a glimpse into the culturally rich traditions of Sri Lanka. SLTPB will focus on promoting Sri Lanka as a cricketing destination during the third day of the exhibition.

Thus, the staff of the stall and the exhibitors will wear Sri Lanka Cricket T-Shirts, with the ambition of highlighting Sri Lanka as a cricketing nation in a world famous travel market and thereby to attract more and more cricket fans to the island. Sri Lanka Cricket T-Shirts and miniature bats will be distributed to visitors to the stall and SLTPB also invited English Cricket Board, Main Cricket Clubs and their Presidents to grace the event by contributing to the planned raffle draws.

In addition, a programme to promote Ceylon Tea will be held at the time of the exhibition, providing a rare chance to the visitors to enjoy a cup of pure Ceylon Tea.

WTM attracts more than 30,000 visitors, 5,000 trade partners (exhibitors) and over 3000 journalists around the world each year. More than 1000 travel agents, including over 200 tour operators, are also expected to attend this travel to market Sri Lanka’s booming industry of tourism in the post-conflict period.