The Sri Lankan Embassy in the Russian Federation launched a series of tourism promotional seminars after the assumption of duties by the newly appointed Ambassador Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, under his guidance. 

Out of the four secluded seminars, two were held during the month of October with the organisational support of prestigious tour operators in the Russian Federation, namely Grand Tour Voyage (GTV) and Quinta Tour. 

The presentations on Sri Lanka were conducted by the Russian nationals who have visited Sri Lanka and possess first-hand experiences by visiting all over the country more than several times.  

For the first seminar coordinated by GTV, more than 50 tour agents - who are members of the GTV - participated in the event. Oleg Demidov - well known actor and producer in Russia presented a guest speech about his Sri Lanka travel experience and recommendations. GTV Director Tourism Yulia Shestakova made a detailed presentation on the topic why to visit, where to visit and how to visit Sri Lanka.
 
The participants were also given a brief insight to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) website and the contents of it for the use of promotional programmes and for possible facilitations. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority website was introduced to them for their analytical requirements such as statistics and industry perspectives.  

A short film made on Sri Lanka by Demidov and Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatoire of Music (Russia’s most prestigious music education and concert establishment) Chief of Design Bureau Sergey Baronov was screened during the first seminar. The film was an animated presentation of the upcoming laser show depicting Sri Lanka. The show, assisted by technical experts of Live Productions TV & Internet broadcasting company, is intended to be premiered in Sri Lanka’s Lotus Flower Theatre in summer 2016 to attract international tourists.

The film authors were proud to say that they had made more than 50 trips around Sri Lanka and decided to co-produce a large, technically advanced show, incorporating laser projections with live performance of local dancers and actors, for screening and promoting Sri Lanka’s heritage, legends of the past and present cultural richness and magnificent landscapes.  Demidov described the places, their cultural importance and a bit of history of Sri Lanka while film was screening. 

Shestakova made a presentation on why, when, how to visit Sri Lanka. The presentation was quite detailed and focused on important aspects enabling partner tour operators to attract tourists with a variety of interests, from excursion programmes to the historical centres of Sri Lanka, visits to Sri Lanka’s picturesque mountains, safari centres, elephant nurseries and turtle farms, to a vast choice of beach destinations on both East, South-East, South coasts, and West coasts, recommended for autumn/winter and summer tourists, respectively, with surfing, diving, fishing and other options for those interested.  

The second seminar was presented by Quinta Tour, represented by Director General Irina Serganova and Nadejda Mitrofanova, Leading Manager in charge of Sri Lanka and China. It was interesting to see that Quinta Tour promoted Sri Lanka as a luxury destination.  

Tourism promotional material printed in Russian, produced by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Ceylon tea of Sri Lanka Tea Board and information packs were distributed among the participants.