Expanding its Fam tour campaigns towards the Middle Eastern region, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Egypt organised a familiarisation tour for eight Egyptian travel agents recently.
The tour was recommended by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Egypt, seeing the potential of attracting Middle Eastern travellers to the destination and its capacity as a possible source market. The tour was organised to create awareness about the rising potential in Sri Lanka Tourism which will encourage Egypt travel agents to organise more tourist packages to Sri Lanka.
The tour covered main tourist attractions such as Minneriya, Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella and Beruwela. Complimentary service facilities for the tour were provided by the Mahaweli Reach Hotel Kandy, Anantara Hotel Kalutara and Aitken Spence Travels.
B2B sessions were held after the tour at the Movenpick Hotel Colombo, and 50 members from the travel trade were given the opportunity to participate in these sessions. Although Egypt is not a main source market, it can be highlighted as one of the potential markets which could draw a large number of tourists to Sri Lanka, given promotional campaigns.
A discussion session was also organised with Minister of Tourism, Harin Fernando. Ambassador for Egypt in Sri Lanka, Chairman of SLTPB Chalaka Gajabahu, and SLTPB officials were present.
Tourist arrivals from Egypt has been recorded at 1,810 up to September, which can be increased by creating more awareness about the destination among Egyptian travellers, a Tourist Bureau official said.
Sri Lanka Tourism plans to proceed with its promotional activities in Egypt, cementing a strong relationship and strengthening Cultural and Bilateral ties between the two nations.