Sri Lanka The High Commission of Sri Lanka in Dhaka, along with the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) organized a special tourism promotion media briefing for travel agents and media personnel in Bangladesh, on the 29th of May 2023.
Speaking to the media, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh, Prof. Sudharshan Seneviratne stated that the cultural and historical similarities shared by both South Asian nations could be used to elevate the current status of their travel and tourism trades.
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh mirror each other with their rich heritage; stemming from similar roots, while the two nations also share the same geography with their lush, fertile lands, an abundance of wildlife, flora, fauna, and azure blue oceans. Highlighting the importance of joining hands in enhancing the tourism trade in both neighboring countries, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka further highlighted that the countries could work in harmony to promote two-way tourism, specifically in the areas of marine archeology and religious links. The High Commissioner elaborated that tourism related to marine archeology and religious ties between the countries could be initiated through collaborative exchanges of those corresponding institutions. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka share a religious connection in Buddhism, Buddhist history, and ancient Buddhist civilization that could in turn inspire cultural and spiritual tourism in both countries.
Bangladesh is also a key target market for Sri Lanka to promote high-end tourism in relation to meetings, incentives, exhibitions, and conferences (MICE tourism) as well as cruise tourism.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary General of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh said that the ATAB will extend its support and dedication to market Sri Lankan tourism among Bangladeshi tourists in order to create beneficial opportunities for both countries.
When demonstrating a thorough presentation on the current Sri Lankan tourism trade, the Director of Public Relations of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Madubhani Perera laid out a comprehensive list of tourist attractions that the island nation has to offer. The number of Bangladeshi tourist arrivals on the island has been considerably low for the past few years, however, the SLTPB is expecting an increased number of around 25,000 tourists at the end of 2023, as a result of the promotional activities that will be carried out by both countries.
