DUBAI, May 2019: The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Kishu Gomes said he was confident that the island nation’s resilient tourism industry will overcome the setbacks it suffered recently and bounce back by the end of the year.
Addressing a packed press conference at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, Mr. Gomes spelt out current challenges facing the tourism industry and the steps being taken to further strengthen security in the country and reassure tourists over safety concerns. He said a sharp decline was expected in arrivals over the next two months but various measures were being adopted by Sri Lanka Tourism with the support of the Sri Lankan government and in collaboration with industry stakeholders to restore confidence in a sector that was well placed to achieve a target of 2.5 million visitors this year. The country now expects to receive around 2 million visitors this year.
Sixty companies from Sri Lanka participated at the ATM, which celebrated its 26th edition at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 28 April to 1 May. The Sri Lanka Pavilion at ATM 2019 was inaugurated by Charitha Yattogoda, Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and the Northern Emirates along with Kishu Gomes. This was followed by the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and observing two minutes’ silence for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks. A large number of business leaders in the tourism industry from both UAE and Sri Lanka and key members of the Sri Lanka Business Council in Dubai also participated at the inauguration ceremony.
The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and Northern Emirates coordinated Sri Lanka’s participation at ATM 2019 in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. It was the 16th consecutive time that Sri Lanka participated at the ATM, the industry’s leading travel and tourism exhibition within the Middle Eastern and Pan Arab regions. In spite of the fallout from the recent terrorist attacks, the Sri Lanka pavilion was a hive of activity, as the Sri Lankan companies from the travel and hospitality sectors showcased their offerings and services, as part of efforts to promote Sri Lanka as a leading tourism destination that has numerous natural advantages such the highest bio diversity in Asia, backed by a strong history and heritage, exotic beaches, green environment and friendly people.
Mr. Gomes also spoke about the emergency measures that the government of Sri Lanka has taken to mobilise its resources at this juncture to ensure the maximum safety of tourists visiting and departing from Sri Lanka. He said that short and long-term steps have been taken by the Sri Lankan authorities to combat terrorism and towards ensuring safety and protection of all visitors in the island.
Addressing the media, the Consul General, Charitha Yattogoda stressed that the Sri Lankan armed forces will harness their extensive experience in curbing, containing and eventually eliminating the ongoing threat, in view of their past experience in combating decades-long terrorism. He also pointed out that the participation of so many Sri Lankan companies reflected the confidence they have reposed in the government’s ability to deal with the situation and bring the industry back to its once thriving position.
The ATM brings together over 40,000 industry professionals under a single roof, paving the way for companies to generating over US$ 2.5 billion worth of business over four days. This year, more than 2600 exhibitors, representing over 150 countries participated at the event.
