The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels represented Sri Lanka at the 62nd edition of ‘Vakantie Salon Vacances 2020’ (Holiday Fair at Brussels Expo) in Belgium from February 6 to 9, 2020 sponsored by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB). The Holiday Fair 2020 was conducted on the themes of eco-tourism, dance and music around the world and adventure and sports tourism.
The Brussels Holiday Fair brought in over 350 exhibitors, 800 destinations and attracted over 100,000 visitors.
The Sri Lanka pavilion was opened by Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Belgium, the European Union and Luxembourg, Grace Asirwatham. Aitken Spence Travels and Andrew Travels, Walkers Tours, Butterflies Vacations, Big Smile Voyages and Sunway Holidays represented the tourism industry in Sri Lanka.
The Army cultural troupe performed dances at the central stage of the Holiday Fair twice a day and regular performances around the Sri Lanka pavilion.
Sri Lanka participates in the Brussels Holiday Fair every year as it serves as an important platform for Sri Lanka to reach out to the tour operators and potential tourists in Belgium.
A gradual increase in the number of Belgium tourists visiting Sri Lanka had been recorded from 10,853 in 2011 to 17,204 in 2018.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has planned many activities to continue to promote Sri Lanka tourism in the Flemish and Walloon regions in Belgium this year.