The 30th Arabian Travel Market (ATM) took place from the 1st of May to the 4th of May 2023 in Dubai, UAE at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This edition of the convention was carried out under the theme ‘Working Towards Net Zero’ and saw the participation of 50 stakeholders in the global travel industry. The Arabian Travel Market is the most significant travel event and networking opportunity that provides international exposure, business, and travel openings for the tourism sector in the Middle East.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) alongside several members of the local travel and tourism trade, has been participating in this international convention since 2003 as it is a key event in the travel calendar that is pivotal for promotional activities. The SLTPB has been enthusiastic and proactive every year by presenting new promotional content at the Middle Eastern exhibition.
The Sri Lanka Tourism pavilion was unveiled at the Arabian Travel Market by H.E Udaya Indrarathanathe, Ambassador for Sri Lanka in the UAE, Ms. K.P.P Siriwardana, Managing Director SLTPB along with several dignitaries of Sri Lanka Tourism, Sri Lankan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Consulate General in Dubai and the travel industry representatives.
A large gathering was seen admiring the Sri Lanka pavilion that had creatively incorporated cultural, natural, and social elements of the island nation as promotional pieces. Sandy beaches, postcard-worthy landscapes, and captures of the many vivid cultural aspects of Sri Lanka were highlighted within the stall to attract the Middle Eastern traveler.
SLTPB organized a press conference on the 2nd day of the travel event amidst a gathering of international journalists and reporters to discuss their aims and goals for the future of Sri Lankan tourism. Minister of Tourism and Lands, Harin Fernando speaking at the media briefing, highlighted the initiatives that are currently being implemented by the country to promote sustainable tourism and stabilize infrastructure.
Reinforcing the existing travel and tourism trade in a country that is breaking its shackles of economic and political distress, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau collaborated with Emirates at the ATM, to forge a partnership that will be fruitful for both parties in the future.
The ATM proved to be an outstanding platform to showcase the assets of an island yet to be discovered by global citizens, while it also paved opportunities for stakeholders of the Sri Lankan travel and tourism trade to network with Middle Eastern prospects.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has recorded 75,769 tourist arrivals from the 1st to the 28th of May 2023. However, the number of Middle Eastern tourists in comparison to travelers of other regions, stands at a relatively low number. The SLTPB believes that this could be remedied by engaging in promotional activities in the Middle East such as the ATM. With a multitude of travel opportunities to explore, Sri Lanka is bound to attract the admiration and fascination of the Middle Eastern market as the region’s most prosperous financial hub, the UAE, lacks natural resources and suitable travel options and could therefore travel to an island nation that is rich in history, culture and natural treasures.
