Sri Lanka seeks to develop Philippines as new tourism source market

• Sri Lanka Tourism hosts familiarisation tour for Filipino tour operators

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) in collaboration with Sri Lanka Embassy in Manila recently hosted a familiarisation tour for nine Filipino tour operators from March 29th to April 6th. 
The goal of the tour was to increase awareness about Sri Lanka as a new travel destination and to establish connections between Sri Lankan travel agents and Philippine travel agents.

The familiarisation tour included visits to various tourist destinations such as Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala, Galle, Bentota, and Colombo, showcasing the diverse offerings of Sri Lanka including luxurious resorts, beautiful beaches, wildlife, ancient heritage sites, and world-renowned cuisine.
One of the main highlights of the tour was a visit to the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress, a UNESCO world heritage site. The participants also visited the Sri Dalada Maligawa, and were entertained by the Udarata Cultural Show in the evening. 

Additionally, a B2B session was conducted between Sri Lankan travel agents and Philippine tour operators with the aim of establishing Sri Lanka’s presence in the Philippines as a preferred travel destination and to establish partnerships and linkages.

This initiative by the SLTPB and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Philippines is a significant step in promoting Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and expanding its market reach. The familiarisation tour provided the Filipino tour operators with a firsthand experience of Sri Lanka’s tourism offerings and an opportunity to establish business partnerships with Sri Lankan travel agents. 
The Travel Trade B2B secession was held on April 04th at Cinnamon Lakeside with the participation of 60 Sri Lankan trade partners, creating economic opportunities for both countries.