SLTPB and SLAITO partner to host top Indian travel event in Colombo

• About 500 delegates expected to join 67th TAAI Convention and Exhibition  

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) is set to host its 2023 convention in Colombo, from July 6 to 9, at the invitation of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB). 
The 67th Convention and Exhibition in Colombo is held in association with the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO).

Every destination that has played host to the TAAI convention in the past has seen tourist numbers surge at least quadruple, since the TAAI members serve as ambassadors of tourism. This convention is the right opportunity for improving bilateral tourism and the theme of the convention is ‘Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives’ and will focus on promoting regional tourism besides positioning Sri Lanka as a preferred destination among Indian outbound travellers.

The opening ceremony of the convention will take place at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) and President Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to grace the occasion as the chief guest and Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando will be the guest of honour. 
The two-day business sessions and Buyer-Seller meet mart will be conducted in two hotels – Cinnamon Grand Colombo and Shangri-La Colombo. The Sri Lankan theme dinner on day two will be held at the Temple Trees, with the participation of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the closing gala dinner will be held at Heritance Negombo. 

Apart from the convention, the SLAITO member companies will host post-convention tours, covering destinations including Bentota, Galle and Kandy. The TAAI has partnered with four airlines, including SriLankan Airlines, Air India, IndiGo and Vistara, for the proposed convention in Colombo. 
The TAAI conventions (Indian Travel Congress) are most eagerly awaited events of the travel and tourism industry. The huge visibility this annual event of the TAAI brings to the global industry is fantastic. 
About 500 delegates are expected to join the event in Colombo. The TAAI does these events all over the world, including India and has so far organised 66 annual conventions.