‘Sri Lanka shines’ among ‘most preferred Tourism Destinations’
Buoyed on by a steady increase in tourist arrivals, destination Sri Lanka with confidence presents the country’s Tourism offer, in full force, at the EXPO 2020 Dubai on ‘Sri Lanka Day’ on Monday, January 3rd 2022. Sri Lanka is seeing a steady revival of visitor arrivals due to a very successful vaccination programme. Highly commended by the World Health Organization (WHO) operating on Health Guidelines formulated by experts, Sri Lanka has seen a steady decline in COVID-19 infections, with over 85% of eligible population from Sri Lanka’s 21.9 million being vaccinated, and the administering of booster Pfizer vaccines well underway with travel industry persons given priority. Applauded by the World Travel and Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and World Travel & Tourism Council with the awarding of the ‘Safe Travel Stamp’, Sri Lanka has recovered post pandemic with confidence and is operating not in fits and starts but smoothly, making bold decisions in continuity mindful of the interests of the country and travel hungry tourists.
As international travellers start making plans for winter vacations, Sri Lanka, basking in the spotlight of rave reviews by international media stations such as CNN, is steadily greeting visitors with a warm Ayubowan!
Named a winner, among the Travellers’ Choice Awards for destination, by Condé Nast Traveller, Sri Lanka is truly poised and ready to delight visitors. Announcing the awards, in London, Global Editorial Director Divia Thani summed it up, ‘The diversity and vibrancy of our Readers’ Choice Award winners represent a desire to get back out into the world and experience the best of what the travel industry has to offer’. Also reflecting on the readers’ choice of destinations, Ms Thani is lucid, ‘As restrictions ease, it is clear that our readers have spent much of the last year and a half dreaming about travel and planning future adventures’. Slated among the world’s best tourism hotspots of Portugal, New Zealand, Japan and Morocco; is tiny Sri Lanka; encompassing all that is wonderful in the region, within its 65,610 square kilometers of land mass south of the Indian subcontinent, surrounded by the Indian Ocean; keeping the Island’s identity unique – ‘So Sri Lanka’ while encompassing most of South East Asia’s wonders within its borders.
Visitors to the Sri Lanka Pavilion situated in the ‘Oppourtunity District’ at EXPO 2020 Dubai can easily avail themselves of all the information necessary to have a holiday in Sri Lanka and to make travel bookings covering their areas of interest from a wide range of offers. Walk in visitors can also relish a cup of world famous Ceylon Tea served with warm hospitality. Further attractions are the raffle draw on airline tickets to Sri Lanka courtesy of the national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines and the Gem and Jewelry Authority conducted draw with prizes in exquisite gem studded jewelry.
Recognized as one of the World’s Top Wellness Destinations in 2021 by the Global Wellness Institute, Sri Lanka is the perfect Wellness Getaway destination with Ayurveda treatment and yoga meditation being offered, by most tourist resorts, with trained practitioners on board for guidance. Sri Lanka’s large forest cover which accounts for around 30% of its landmass and with waterways hidden inland the country is a haven for those seeking to connect with their inner self to heal from the stresses of modern living. There are forest lodges and hermitages where one can truly relax and find solace being one with nature. Some places conduct meditation sessions to help travellers to unwind and find serenity. Sri Lanka has redefined luxury in the nature’s way!
Sri Lanka Day at EXPO 2020 Dubai is attended by a high level delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. G. L. Peiris and Minister of Tourism & Aviation, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga and will hold bi-lateral meetings focused on Tourism, Exports and Investments. Chairperson Sri Lanka Tourism and Commissioner General for EXPO 2020 Dubai, Kimarli Fernando is expected to make a destination pitch highlighting Sri Lanka’s readiness for growth and revival of the Tourism industry post pandemic.
Sri Lanka day will be a colourful, event filled day of Cultural Performances staged at Al Wasl Plaza at the Stage of Nations.
Sri Lanka Tourism was also planning to host a Travel and Tourism Forum on 4th January 2022 with 40 Dubai based delegates, who will be present to attend B2B meetings, and the 35 strong Sri Lanka Travel and Tourism delegation coming to Dubai anticipating a bookings bonanza, in view of the ongoing positive publicity the destination has received post pandemic recovery. This was planned to take place at a time where the global spot light shines on Sri Lanka where Travel + Leisure recognizes 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 4 of the Top 25 Resorts in Asia: Readers’ Choice Awards 2021. In May 2021 Bloomberg’s ‘Explore the New Seven Wonders of the World’ features Sri Lanka and Global Wellness Institute ranks Sri Lanka as the fourth country on the world’s top Wellness Tourism Destination list. However due to the current covid restrictions in place in Dubai the event will be postponed to a later date in March yet connecting the delegates through a virtual event to take place in early January 2022.
A holiday in Sri Lanka is no longer an armchair on screen experience due to a pandemic, the destination is now fully operational and delighting tourists who are fully vaccinated and for others who are not fully vaccinated there are some easy protocols to be followed for the safety and security of tourists and travellers, visit www.srilanka.travel/helloagain for all the details and apply for visa online on www.eta.gov.lk.
