Sri Lanka had a strong presence at the International French Market (IFTM) Top Resa with 27 local companies taking part.
Sri Lanka is back after 2021 with a new destination branding “You will come back for more”. This is the first travel fair participation after the new brand identity was adapted.
The Sri Lanka pavilion
France is among the top seven tourist-generating market for Sri Lanka with over 44,000 tourists accounted for the first nine months of 2023, behind the UK and Germany in Europe.
Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Chalaka Gajabahu said “Tourism in Sri Lanka is back on track, and it was proved by the presence of 27 co-exhibitors at IFTM Top Resa. We launched our first phase of campaign “Seeing is believing” which showed that the situation in the country is normal. We are now unveiling a new campaign, the slogan Sri Lanka “You will come back for more” which we are presenting at IFTM to the visitors.’’
Sri Lanka pavilion at IFTM was opened by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in France, Manisha Gunasekara.
Representatives from Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and Tourist Hoteliers Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) were also present.
The Sri Lanka pavilion highlighted many aspects of its culture, beauty, and ayurveda which Sri Lanka would offer as a tourism destination. The Sri Lanka stand optimised the “Sri Lanka – You will come back for more” vivid sights to attract the potential visitors. Ceylon tea was served to visitors at the Sri Lanka pavilion, to promote tea in the French market.
