Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau Showcases Island Charm and Offerings in Saudi Arabia with Twin Roadshows on April 22 & 24
The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) is set to host two exclusive roadshows in Saudi Arabia, ahead of its participation in Arabian Travel Market 2025. The events will take place on April 22 in Riyadh at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Convention Center, Riyadh Minhal, and on April 24 in Al Khobar at the Grand Hyatt Hotel and Residences.
These roadshows play a key role in Sri Lanka's ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia's outbound travel partners, positioning the island nation as a premier, year-round destination for family, luxury, and experiential tourism.
SLTPB, along with leading Sri Lankan tourism partners, will showcase a wide array of travel offerings — from luxury family getaways and wellness retreats to wildlife safaris, cultural experiences, and halal-friendly travel.
Attendees will include Saudi-based travel agents, tour operators, travel consultants, airlines, and DMCs. The events will feature one-on-one meetings, networking opportunities, and business development sessions aimed at forging new partnerships in Saud Arabia, which remains Sri Lanka's largest outbound tourism market in the Middle East.
Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, said:
'We are returning to Saudi Arabia with a clear message: Sri Lanka is open to the world, and we are eager to welcome Saudi visitors in greater numbers than ever before. We're proud to be back in the Kingdom showcasing the best of Sri Lanka: our world-class hospitality, breathtaking natural beauty, and unwavering commitment to safety. These roadshows play a vital role in strengthening our ties with valued partners in Saudi Arabia, while also highlighting our latest travel offerings — from unforgettable summer holidays to exclusive Eid Al-Adha family packages, specially designed with Saudi travelers in mind.'
With growing interest from Saudi Arabia and the GCC region, Sri Lanka is rapidly emerging as a top choice for families, groups, and solo travelers alike. From the stunning beaches of the East Coast and misty tea estates to vibrant wildlife parks and UNESCO World Heritage sites, the island offers unforgettable experiences for every kind of visitor.
The upcoming roadshows in Saudi Arabia underscore Sri Lanka's strong commitment to empowering the travel trade, uplifting local communities, and creating long-term, mutual value across the tourism ecosystem.
For more information about Sri Lanka as a travel destination, visit: www.srilanka.travel
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TECHx
an hour ago
- TECHx
Dubai Crown Prince Meets UAE Space Startups
Home » Latest news » Dubai Crown Prince Meets UAE Space Startups His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, recently met with representatives of leading space sector startups in the UAE. The meeting was held to support and advance the national space ecosystem. His Highness reaffirmed the UAE's aim to strengthen its global leadership in the space industry. Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships. He noted that strategic collaboration and long-term investment in emerging technologies are key to building an advanced and innovative space ecosystem. He also expressed confidence in UAE-based companies and entrepreneurs. Their contribution is seen as vital to driving the sector's growth and boosting the country's status as a global space hub. The Crown Prince revealed that the space sector is a major driver of future and sustainable economic growth. He added that the UAE is working to create a supportive environment for local businesses and attract new investment opportunities. Sheikh Hamdan reported that the private sector is now leading the UAE's space efforts. He praised the maturity of national investments made over the last 30 years. Several UAE-based companies participated in the meeting. These firms represent a range of specialisations, including: Internet of Things (IoT) solutions Artificial intelligence, robotics, and remote sensing Edge computing and high-resolution Earth observation They also showcased developments in reusable launch systems and simulation technologies. Participants discussed their current projects, long-term strategies, and future investments. They stressed the need to expand operations locally and globally, while strengthening collaboration with the government. They also highlighted the UAE's flexible regulations and advanced infrastructure. These were described as key enablers of innovation and growth. The Space Economic Zones Programme was welcomed by attendees. It was praised for enabling partnerships and supporting long-term development in the sector. The meeting was attended by several prominent figures, including Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Secretary-General of the Supreme Space Council. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Space Agency. Company representatives present included: Khalid Al Awadi, founder of Rimal Ibrahim Al Obaidly, founder of Ardhiyat Al Ibdaa Information Solutions David Critchley, CEO of 4EI Dr. Hamdullah Mohib, CEO of Marlan Space Alex Lapir, CEO of Aliensense Abdulhalim Jallad, co-founder of Oryx Space Stan Rudenko, CEO of Aspire Space Technology The meeting reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to a globally competitive and integrated space industry.
Tourism Breaking News
2 hours ago
- Tourism Breaking News
Turkey, Italy, France, Thailand emerge as top summer getaways by GCC : RateHawk
Post Views: 30 According to RateHawk, the top 10 outbound destinations for the entire summer include Turkey, Italy, France, Thailand, Spain, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, and the United States. The average transaction value for accommodation bookings is $1551, with an average stay of five nights. Although Indonesia didn't enter the top 10 most-booked outbound destinations, it has become one of the fastest-growing travel choices, showing a remarkable two-fold increase in bookings year-over-year, according to RateHawk. Traditionally, over half (53%) of these bookings are located in Bali, particularly in popular areas such as Ubud, Kuta, and Munduk. The visa-free policy and strong air connections with the GCC region, including a newly launched Saudia flight from Jeddah to Bali, continue to boost tourism to this tropical island. European destinations, with top choices in cultural capitals such as London, Paris, Milan, Munich, and Barcelona, remain a traditional favorite among GCC travelers seeking to escape the summer heat. The steady growth of tourism to Europe continues, driven by improved connectivity through the launch of new direct routes to popular destinations, including Saudia's flight to Venice and Flydubai's flights to various Greek resorts, such as Corfu, Santorini, and Mykonos. Thailand, another favourite Asian destination among GCC travelers, continues to show steady growth of 48% from last year, especially in areas like Bangkok and Phuket. Travelers heading to Asia typically choose longer stays, often up to one week in just one hotel. Serkan Ozbay, Regional Director in the Middle East region, commented: 'Summer season in the GCC region traditionally has two spikes in travel demand. The first peak aligns with the Eid Al-Adha holidays, which this year fall between 5 June and 9 June, with Dubai as the most popular choice for a staycation within the region and Istanbul as the most preferred outbound destination. The second peak coincides with the start of the local school break in late June and early July, with bigger interest in long-haul summer getaways to Europe and Asia. Whatever destination travelers prefer, RateHawk helps travel agents find attractive offers from our extensive global inventory of 2.7 million accommodations. Additionally, our consolidation strategy, which combines sourcing from over 320 wholesalers, 100 DMCs, and over 130,000 direct contracts, allows our partners to quickly adapt to growing interest in emerging destinations.'
Campaign ME
3 hours ago
- Campaign ME
Brand building needs more than just algorithms
Why have so many brands abandoned the dream phase of communications planning? For too long, brands have been chasing short-term wins, obsessing over conversions and putting brand building in the back seat. According to a survey by Ebiquity and the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), 42 per cent of global advertisers plan to increase their share of performance marketing in 2025, up from 21 per cent in 2024. In contrast, only 24 per cent intend to increase their share of branding efforts. This shift is driven by the need for immediate results and the growth of retail media and connected TV. It is understandable. The lower funnel means numbers I can show in a boardroom full of big questions. I wish I could count the times I've heard, 'they're easy to measure', 'they're quick to optimise' or 'they build momentum'. Do you mean the illusion of momentum? Because real momentum means real growth. Real growth never comes from tactical wins alone. For decades, what has been – and most likely always will be – real growth comes from building brands that inspire, connect and endure. Take destinations, for example. They exist in people's imaginations for a long time before they watch a 'Top 10 Things To Do' video or visit People form a relationship with a destination long before they even get there, through billboards, videos, influencers and even films and TV shows. There's a deep connection that's forged through powerful storytelling and immersive brand presence over time. It's through emotional resonance that withstands the clutter of flash sale banners or retargeted ads and comes out on top. Why? Because a destination isn't just a place you're trying to sell; it's a feeling you're unlocking. Feelings aren't bought with performance metrics alone. They can, however, be earned through brand building. This isn't to say brand and performance are opposing forces. In fact, it's often overlooked that they are partners – and when they work together, innovation can thrive. Put simply, a brand builds desire; performance captures it. Having one without the other is like trying to ride a bicycle on one wheel – it's not impossible, it just won't get you there optimally. This is particularly important, given that we have entered a new media reality. To inspire and to derive action are no longer conveniently sitting in separate stages of the funnel. Look at today's audiences: they expect to be moved and motivated, often in the same scroll. Content needs to inspire and convert in one experience. Those who have crafted that balance are leading the way. In the past few years, Visit Saudi has done an excellent job of building a brand, a dream, a destination – and they've done this at speed. They have a clear vision statement: 'To inspire pride by sharing Saudi with the world, captivating their hearts, minds and imaginations.' In my opinion, they've delivered on that ambition. It's noticeable through their immersive content and unique messaging that have built a strong narrative. This transformed the tourism landscape and turned travellers' heads towards Saudi, creating the type of consideration that has taken other destinations an entire generation to build. It's evident when you look at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism data. Even with Covid pausing travel for two years, Saudi still saw 44.06 million inbound visitors in 2022 and 2023. This is a testimony to the 'bothism' that we see in industry commentary, and indeed to the large body of evidence that speaks to both long- and short-term investments. Companies that continue to invest in brand – especially during challenging times – are the ones that will bounce back faster, stronger and with greater loyalty from consumers who already feel emotionally connected. Without a strong presence to anchor the strategy, the funnel eventually dries up, and no amount of retargeting will save a brand people have forgotten – or never cared about in the first place. Many brands such as adidas, Uber and Airbnb have jumped back on the brand-building wagon and have reaped the rewards. These are brands that continue to build not just awareness, but advocacy. Not just bookings, but belief; not just visits, but lifelong memories. There are no shortcuts in this journey. To get to their destination in the best conditions, brands need to marry the performance focus in the lower funnel with activating the dream state in the upper funnel. Ephemeral sales may come from algorithms, but durable brand appeal is built on emotion. Brands need both to thrive sustainably. By Sara Daher, Executive Director, PHD Media
