Dubai ruler and President Gotabaya visit Expo 2020 SL pavilion

Stressing the strong and deep-rooted ties between the UAE and Sri Lanka, Dubai Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently visited the Sri Lankan pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai along with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was an honoured guest at the pavilion. 

The UAE is one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Sri Lanka and one of its largest trading partners in the Middle East. It has tremendous possibilities as an export market to Sri Lanka and has potential to be a key investor into the destination making; the visit of Maktoum is an honoured and significant one. 

Accompanied by first lady Ioma Rajapaksa, the president toured the Sri Lanka pavilion to observe the multi-sensorial display that showcases the island in all its glory. The president was offered a traditional Sri Lankan welcome and later witnessed the unveiling of a sculpture of the president by reputed sculptor Wasantha Kumara Rathnayake to commemorate the occasion.

The Sri Lanka pavilion focuses on highlighting the island as a tourist destination while showcasing other facets on offer such as tea, exports, arts and crafts to name a few.  

Sri Lanka Tourism has been on an aggressive brand-building and promotion drive, as the island is now open to fully vaccinated travellers from around the world. The strategy by Sri Lanka Tourism to ensure that Sri Lanka remains a top of the mind destination despite the pandemic, is now reaping rewards. 

This takes place at a time where the global spotlight shines on Sri Lanka where Travel + Leisure recognises Sri Lanka among ‘The Top 25 Islands in the World’, September, 2021, Sri Lanka placed second on Club Med’s index of the best places and countries around the world to become a Digital Nomad. 

Sri Lanka is proud to be home to four of the Top 25 Resorts in Asia: Readers’ Choice Awards 2021. In May 2021, Bloomberg’s ‘Explore the New Seven Wonders of the World’ featured Sri Lanka and Global Wellness Institute ranks Sri Lanka as the fourth country on the world’s top Wellness Tourism Destination list. 

Further, Sri Lanka was ranked as one of the best destinations to travel to in 2021, as voted by readers of both Conde Nast Traveller US and UK and was also featured as one of the Top Destinations to Travel in February 2020 by Condé Nast Traveller, Middle East. 

Sri Lanka Tourism has been able to secure high earned media value through the participation at Expo 2020 Dubai and the visit by Maktoum and President Rajapaksa is sure to spark much enthusiasm and interest at the global event for Sri Lanka.