In its continuous effort to promote the destination, Sri Lanka Tourism participated at the SATTE (South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange) which was held in Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR, India, from 22^nd – 24^th Feb., 2024, with the delegation of over 125 from 64 Sri Lankan destination management companies (DMC’s) and hotels. India remains the number one source market for Sri Lanka and the effort was to further strengthen its position and to grow its existing arrivals.

Sri Lanka Tourism has identified India as an important source market for Sri Lanka and to provide greater opportunities to Sri Lankan travel industry to engage with the members of SATTE. Sri Lanka Tourism also held a Networking Evening in Shangri-La, New Delhi to interact and renew the relationships between Sri Lankan travel and tourism companies with Indian Tour Operators (leisure + MICE), Media personnel, key Influencers, Corporates and Trade Associations, Professionals, OTAs, Travel Associations, Chambers and Heads of the Missions in New Delhi while promoting Sri Lanka as an attractive destination.

Sri Lanka’s participation was in collaboration with high commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi in this year’s SATTE, together with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and 64 travel industry members including Si Lanka Convention Bureau.

SATTE offers a comprehensive platform to domestic and international buyers and professionals from across the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. SATTE is recognized as Asia’s leading travel and tourism exhibition to conduct business, share knowledge, exchange ideas in order to arrive at solution-driven innovations to accelerate the pace and growth of the industry. SATTE has grown in terms of exhibitions and visitors (including international and domestic buyers) and is today the biggest networking forum for the travel and tourism industry in South Asia.

The Sri Lanka stand stood in stature and was a vibrant attraction with the décor used for the stand with new Si Lanka Tourism branding “Sri Lanka -you’ll come back for more”. It highlighted major tourism attractions of Sri Lanka which warmly welcomed the visitors and gave them a flavour of perfectly blended culture, heritage, wildlife, pristine beaches, scenic, etc. of Sri Lanka. Hon Tharaka Balasuriya, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Kshenuka Senewiratne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi, together with Mr. Nalin Perera, Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau ceremoniously opened the Sri Lanka Stand, amidst the presence of the officials of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, High Commission staff of Sri Lanka in New Delhi on 22^nd February.

India is considered as a destination with tremendous potential for outbound travel and continuous promotional activities will be carried out to ensure the arrivals momentum. Sri Lanka is the most visited South Asian country by the Indian travellers with Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai been the top cities that contributes.

There is strong flight connectivity to main cities of India with Sri Lankan Airlines, Indigo, Air India, Vistara, FITS Air, Alliance Air, etc.

With the planned activities and infrastructure in place the destination is ready to welcome tourists with 22 million warm hearts.