DUBAI: With tourism authorities focusing on the development of the wellness sector after identifying it as a catalyst for tourism growth, leading Sri Lankan business establishments and hospitality companies participated for the first time at Arab Health, the largest health and wellness exhibition in the Middle East and North Africa region that was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 – 31 January.
The Sri Lankan pavilion at the event was inaugurated by the Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Rajitha Senarathne in the presence of diplomats and prominent members of the Sri Lankan expatriate community in the UAE. Among those who attended the official opening of the Sri Lankan pavilion were Ahamed L. S. Khan, Charge d’Affaires at the Sri Lankan embassy in Abu Dhabi, Charitha Yattogoda, Consul General for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Chathura Weerasekara, Head of Chancery at the Sri Lankan Consulate General for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Muhammed Riza, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Business Council in Dubai, Sri Lankan entrepreneur and longstanding UAE resident, Suren Swaminathan and top officials from the participating companies including Asoka Hettigoda, Managing Director of the Hettigoda Group that is renowned for its Siddhalepa brand.
Sri Lanka’s participation at Arab Health 2019 was aimed at showcasing its range of wellness offerings to representatives, trade professionals and visitors from key source markets and also leveraging the growing tourism momentum, especially following the ringing endorsement given by Lonely Planet, the world’s top travel guide in selecting Sri Lanka as the best destination to visit in 2019.
This year, Arab Health attracted 4,150 companies from over 160 countries, with over 84,500 healthcare and trade professionals visiting the four-day event. Sri Lankan companies at Arab Health made an aggressive push to position the island as a destination of choice for tourists who are specifically seeking wellness and well-being getaways.
Sri Lanka exhibited under the slogan ‘Experience 5,000-year heritage of healing’ with the aim of showcasing the wellness product range including the indigenous medical system, which originated over 5000 years ago.
Commenting on the participation of Hettigoda Industries (Pvt) Ltd, Asoka Hettigoda, Managing Director of the Hettigoda Group said: “Sri Lanka is a hidden gem specialised in wellness with a rich history of over 5000 years. Our participation at Arab Health provided us a great platform where we were able to network and promote our high quality wellness offerings and facilities to visitors from all over the world.”
In addition to Hettigoda Industries (Pvt) Ltd, the other Sri Lankan exhibitors at the event were Heritance Ayurveda Maha Gedara, Barberyn Ayurveda Resorts, Vingyana at Reefs (Kaya Health Resort), Sen Wellness Sanctuary and Tree of Life (Pvt) Ltd.
Ayurveda is the main approach to health and well-being in Sri Lanka’s traditional health system. The wellness industry in Sri Lanka includes several segments like fitness, mind body medicine, preventative medicine, healthy eating, weight loss, beauty, anti-ageing, to name a few. The standard wellness tourism products in Sri Lanka are provided in hotel and resort environments. It builds on body and facial therapies and wet areas such as steam rooms and saunas with a focus on pampering and relaxation.
The tropical climate and outstanding natural beauty of the country enhance the ambience for guests, creating bliss in mind. Most of the wellness resorts in Sri Lanka serve nutritious cuisine based on herbs, farm fresh vegetables, fruits and white fish. Guests under treatment packages are provided a variety of special Ayurvedic meals and beverages crafted to promotewell-being, that have been prescribed by in-house physicians.
Sri Lankan wellness resorts are specialised in Ayurvedic and other indigenous criteria with specially trained male and female therapists with separate treatment rooms for male and female guests.
