The High Commission of Sri Lanka together with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) organised Sri Lanka’s participation at the MATTA Fair, B2B and also at the ‘Sri Lanka Tourism Extravaganza’ at JW Marriott in Malaysia from September 7 - 9.
Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga, accompanied by High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, A.J.M. Muzammil and Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Dehan Seneviratne were received by Datuk Tan Kok Liang, President of MATTA,Phua Tai Neng, CEO of MATTA and the Exco members of MATTA at the PWTC Exhibition Centre. The official welcome ceremony was held at the Sri Lanka Pavillion and the visitors were able to witness a traditional Sri Lankan dance by the Channa Upuli Dance Troupe creating a truly Lankan ambience. Datuk Tan Kok Liang, President of MATTA, Phua Tai Neng, CEO of MATTA also joined the Sri Lankan dance troupe performance.
Around 16 leading Sri Lankan Travel Agents also participated at the MATTA Fair 2018, which attracted a large number of visitors and were able to position Sri Lanka as a leading tourist destination in Malaysia. Also leading travel agencies from Malaysia and over 200,000 visitors participated.
The High Commission and SLTPB organised a Tourism Forum and B2B for over 100 travel agents from Malaysia at the JW Marriott on September 8. This gave the Sri Lankan travel agents an opportunity to develop closer ties with their counterparts in Malaysia.
On the invitation of Minister John Amaratunga, YB Muhammad Bakhitar bin Wan Chik Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia attended the Sri Lanka: Wonder of Asia Extravaganza as Guest of Honour.
The Sri Lankan Tourism Minister recalling the close ties between the two countries thanked Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia for attending the event.
The Minister especially thanked High Commissioner Muzammil for organising the event which was truly an Extravaganza well choreographed in keeping with Sri Lankan cultural traditions.
The Minister acknowledged the role played by the High Commissioner over the past two years to promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination in Malaysia. The Malaysian Minister was overwhelmed by the truly Sri Lankan ambience created at the Extravaganza promoting Sri Lanka’s 8 tourism themes in Malaysia. The Malaysian Deputy Minister thanked the High Commissioner for the role played to promote the destination Sri Lanka. High Commissioner A.J.M. Muzammil, thanking Minister Amaratunga, and YB Muhammad Bakhitar bin Wan Chik, for gracing the occasion, recalled the special relations that existed between the two countries over the years.
The High Commissioner especially thanked Dehan Senaviratne, and his team for the support given to make the event a success. The Extravaganza promoted Sri Lanka as a tourist destination and highlighted the rich cultural heritage where Malaysian nationals will have the opportunity to reminisce with Sri Lanka tourism 8 themes namely, Heritage, Festive, Pristine, Scenic, Essence, Thrills, Wild and Bliss. A tourist guide book containing 8 themes of tourism was published for the first time and presented to the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia at the event.
A Press Conference was also held where a number of print and electronic media participated. Guests were able to enjoy the music by Bathiya, Santhush, and Umariah and also traditional dances by Channa and Upuli Dance Troupe. Jananath Warakagoda entertained the guests with his traditional drum fusion.
At present there are four Airlines operating 39 flights a week. The Sri Lanka; Wonder of Asia Extravaganza gave an ideal opportunity to brand Sri Lanka during the MATTA Fair giving practical meaning to the MOU signed during the visit of President Maithripala Sirisena to Malaysia in December 2016.