Latest news with #SLTPB
Zawya
01-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sri Lanka unveils renewed tourism vision at Arabian Travel Market 2025 Press Conference
Dubai, UAE: The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) hosted a press conference on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai, reaffirming its commitment to expanding tourism partnerships and boosting arrivals from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the broader Middle East, and international markets. The conference highlighted key developments across Sri Lanka's tourism sector, including infrastructure upgrades, market trends, and evolving traveler experiences. Addressing a packed media room, Sampath Nishshanka, Managing Director of SLTPB, outlined the country's strategic focus on community-based experiences, wellness and nature travel, and premium hospitality. 'Sri Lanka is not just a destination — it is an experience shaped by warmth, culture, and meaningful connections that today's discerning travelers seek,' he said. 'We take pride in our heritage and the genuine hospitality that defines us. As we present a renewed vision for tourism, we invite the world — here at Arabian Travel Market — to rediscover Sri Lanka with fresh eyes and open hearts.' The press conference emphasized SLTPB's collaboration with GCC-based travel agencies and airlines to enhance connectivity and curate personalized experiences for travelers in GCC and the wider region. It also spotlighted efforts to strengthen media and trade engagement through authentic storytelling and by reinforcing confidence in Sri Lanka as the ideal travel destination for GCC and Middle East traveller. The Sri Lanka Pavilion at ATM 2025 features a mix of co-exhibitors — including boutique hotels, wellness retreats, and destination management companies (DMCs) — keen to forge partnerships across the region and beyond. SLTPB also unveiled initiatives targeting families, spiritual travelers, and adventure seekers, aligning with summer travel trends. Visa-free entry for GCC nationals, direct air links, and attractive luxury packages further reinforce Sri Lanka's appeal as a premier holiday destination. Sri Lanka is steadily emerging as a top choice for travelers from the GCC and wider Middle East, offering halal-friendly services, safety, cultural richness, and breathtaking landscapes. With its year-round appeal, upscale accommodations, and expanding infrastructure, the island caters to a broad range of travel preferences from the region. By participating in ATM 2025, Sri Lanka underscores its strategic focus on GCC and wider Middle East as key source markets. Through innovation, collaboration, and traveler-centric experiences, the country is charting a confident path toward a sustainable and thriving tourism future. About The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) is the official government body tasked with overseeing all marketing and promotional efforts related to Sri Lanka's travel and tourism industry. The Bureau is led by the Chairman, Managing Director, and a Board of Directors that includes representatives from key industry associations such as the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators, the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism, among others. SLTPB's core mission is to market and promote Sri Lanka — both directly and indirectly — as a high-quality tourist destination, in line with the national Tourism Development Plan. This is achieved in collaboration with key entities including the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau, the Sri Lanka Institute of Hotel Management, and a wide range of travel and tourism stakeholders.
Arabian Business
30-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Emirates signs major travel deals at Arabian Travel Market
Emirates has signed a series of agreements with the tourism boards and ministries of countries such as Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Seychelles and Bahamas to bolster visitor arrivals. The Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed with the countries, which also included Warsaw and Nigeria, also envisaged boosting the appeal of each destination. The MoUs were signed on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM). Emirates expands tourism ties The signing spree saw Emirates and Tourism Malaysia renewing their partnership, reaffirming the airline's longstanding commitment to the Southeast Asian gateway. The airline will seek to promote Malaysia across key markets in its global network, exploring opportunities for joint marketing promotions and advertising initiatives to position Malaysia as a premier tourist destination. Emirates and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) have also renewed their three-year strong partnership, aimed at further developing the country's tourism and trade industries. Through joint initiatives, such as developing excursions and familiarisation trips to promote the island nation to key feeder markets, Emirates and SLTPB aim to grow the tourism industry of the popular Indian Ocean destination by showcasing the destination to customers across the airline's global network. Emirates and the Moroccan National Tourist Office will explore ways to promote inbound tourism to Morocco from key destinations on the airline's vast global network. The agreement directly supports Morocco's strategic roadmap to double the size of the tourism sector and make it one of the top 20 destinations for visitors in the world. The partners will explore programmes for trade partners and tour operators to further educate and incentivise the travel industry. Emirates and Tourism Seychelles have also renewed their longstanding commitment to support the travel and tourism industry of the country. Building on a partnership established in 2013, the MoU aims to increase inbound tourist traffic to Seychelles, with a focus on key feeder markets within the airline's extensive network. Emirates and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas will partner on joint promotional campaigns in key markets to boost tourist arrivals into The Bahamas, by showcasing the destination's appeal to visitors and holidaymakers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will support the airline's efforts by providing tour operators and travel agents in key target markets with promotional giveaways, special packages, incentives and marketing spend. Emirates and the Warsaw Tourism Organisation will work together for the first time to develop inbound passenger traffic from key markets in the airline's global network to the city. Both entities will explore developing joint advertising campaigns and organising familiarisation trips for media representatives and travel agents to Warsaw, aimed to boost awareness of Warsaw's cultural richness and strengthen its positioning as a key gateway in Central Europe. Emirates and the Nigerian Ministry of Art Culture Tourism and the Creative Economy will work closely to boost international visitors to Nigeria. The partnership underscores the airline's commitment to the market through attracting visitors from across its global network of more than 140 passenger destinations, as Nigeria's tourism roadmap aims to make the country a major holiday destination in Africa. The partnership between the airline and the ministry—to be driven by its agency for tourism promotion, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA)—supports this exciting new chapter and is further bolstered by the recently signed interline agreement between Emirates and Air Peace, which expands Emirates' reach to 13 additional cities across Nigeria.
Trade Arabia
30-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Sri Lanka unveils renewed tourism vision at ATM
The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) outlined the country's strategic tourism focus on community-based experiences, wellness and nature travel, and premium hospitality at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai. At a press conference on the sidelines of ATM, SLTPB reaffirmed its commitment to expanding tourism partnerships and boosting arrivals from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the broader Middle East, and international markets. The conference highlighted key developments across Sri Lanka's tourism sector, including infrastructure upgrades, market trends, and evolving traveller experiences. Sampath Nishshanka, Managing Director of SLTPB, said: 'Sri Lanka is not just a destination — it is an experience shaped by warmth, culture, and meaningful connections that today's discerning travellers seek,' he said. 'We take pride in our heritage and the genuine hospitality that defines us. As we present a renewed vision for tourism, we invite the world — here at Arabian Travel Market — to rediscover Sri Lanka with fresh eyes and open hearts.' The press conference emphasised SLTPB's collaboration with GCC-based travel agencies and airlines to enhance connectivity and curate personalized experiences for travelers in GCC and the wider region. It also spotlighted efforts to strengthen media and trade engagement through authentic storytelling and by reinforcing confidence in Sri Lanka as the ideal travel destination for GCC and Middle East traveller. The Sri Lanka Pavilion at ATM 2025 features a mix of co-exhibitors — including boutique hotels, wellness retreats, and destination management companies (DMCs) — keen to forge partnerships across the region and beyond. SLTPB also unveiled initiatives targeting families, spiritual travelers, and adventure seekers, aligning with summer travel trends. Visa-free entry for GCC nationals, direct air links, and attractive luxury packages further reinforce Sri Lanka's appeal as a premier holiday destination. Sri Lanka is steadily emerging as a top choice for travellers from the GCC and wider Middle East, offering halal-friendly services, safety, cultural richness, and breathtaking landscapes. With its year-round appeal, upscale accommodations, and expanding infrastructure, the island caters to a broad range of travel preferences from the region.
Trade Arabia
30-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Emirates signs 7 MoUs with countries to boost arrivals, appeal
Emirates has signed another seven memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on the side-lines of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) with the tourism boards and ministries of Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Seychelles, Bahamas, Warsaw and Nigeria to bolster visitor arrivals and boost the appeal of each destination. Emirates and Tourism Malaysia have renewed their partnership, reaffirming the airline's longstanding commitment to the Southeast Asian gateway. Emirates will seek to promote Malaysia across key markets in its global network, exploring opportunities for joint marketing promotions and advertising initiatives to position Malaysia as a premier tourist destination – highlighting its natural landscapes, cultural heritage and unique culinary experiences. Emirates will also explore organising familiarisation trips to Malaysia for key media representatives and travel agents from strategic markets across its global network. Emirates and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) have renewed their three-year strong partnership, aimed at further developing the country's tourism and trade industries. Through joint initiatives, such as developing excursions and familiarisation trips to promote the island nation to key feeder markets, Emirates and SLTPB aim to grow the tourism industry of the popular Indian Ocean destination by showcasing the destination to customers across the airline's global network. The joint efforts to boost the nation's tourist industry have supported a steady increase in inbound traffic into the island, which recorded just over 2 million visitors in 2024. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Emirates carried over 240,000 passengers into Sri Lanka from key markets around its network including Rusia, the UK, Germany, Australia, China, and the US, among others. Emirates and the Moroccan National Tourist Office will explore ways to promote inbound tourism to Morocco from key destinations on the airline's vast global network. The agreement directly supports Morocco's strategic roadmap to double the size of the tourism sector and ultimately make it one of the top 20 destinations for visitors in the world. The partners will explore programmes for trade partners and tour operators to further educate and incentivise the travel industry, in addition to familiarisation trips and other marketing initiatives to increase visibility of the destination within Emirates' network. Morocco has ambitious targets to develop tourism, aiming to attract 17.5 million visitors annually by 2026 and create 200,000 new jobs in the sector. 2024 marked a record-breaking year, with 17.4 million tourists visiting the kingdom. The partnership inked at Arabian Travel Market directly support this vision, leveraging Emirates' frictionless travel options and vast global network to further promote the destination in key target markets. Emirates and Tourism Seychelles have renewed their longstanding commitment to support the travel and tourism industry of the country. Building on a partnership established in 2013, the MoU aims to increase inbound tourist traffic to Seychelles, with a focus on key feeder markets within the airline's extensive network. Emirates has been a major contributor to Seychelles' tourism successes over the years, with the island welcoming more than 350,000 tourist arrivals in 2024. Joint initiatives that have contributed to healthy visitor numbers include marketing campaigns targeted at European markets like Austria. Emirates and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas will partner on joint promotional campaigns in key markets to boost tourist arrivals into The Bahamas, by showcasing the destination's appeal to visitors and holidaymakers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will support Emirates' efforts by providing tour operators and travel agents in key target markets with promotional giveaways, special packages, incentives and marketing spend. Emirates and the Warsaw Tourism Organisation will work together for the first time to develop inbound passenger traffic from key markets in the airline's global network to the city. Both entities will explore developing joint advertising campaigns and organising familiarisation trips for media representatives and travel agents to Warsaw. These initiatives aim to boost awareness of Warsaw's cultural richness and strengthen its positioning as a key gateway in Central Europe. Emirates and the Nigerian Ministry of Art Culture Tourism and the Creative Economy will work closely to boost international visitors to Nigeria. The partnership underscores the airline's commitment to the market through attracting visitors from across its global network of more than 140 passenger destinations, as Nigeria's tourism roadmap aims to make the country a major holiday destination in Africa, driven by significant investments in infrastructure, tourist facilities, and enhanced air connectivity to and from the country. The partnership between Emirates and the Ministry — to be driven by its agency for tourism promotion, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) — supports this exciting new chapter and is further bolstered by the recently signed interline agreement between Emirates and Air Peace, which expands Emirates' reach to 13 additional cities across Nigeria.
Al Bawaba
30-04-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Emirates strengthens collaboration with Malaysian, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Seychelles, Bahamas, Warsaw and Nigeria Tourism Boards to boost inbound visitors from around its network
Emirates has signed another seven Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on the side-lines of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) with the tourism boards and ministries of Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Seychelles, Bahamas, Warsaw and Nigeria to bolster visitor arrivals and boost the appeal of each destination. Emirates and Tourism Malaysia have renewed their partnership, reaffirming the airline's longstanding commitment to the Southeast Asian gateway. Emirates will seek to promote Malaysia across key markets in its global network, exploring opportunities for joint marketing promotions and advertising initiatives to position Malaysia as a premier tourist destination – highlighting its natural landscapes, cultural heritage and unique culinary experiences. Emirates will also explore organising familiarisation trips to Malaysia for key media representatives and travel agents from strategic markets across its global network. Emirates and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) have renewed their three-year strong partnership, aimed at further developing the country's tourism and trade industries. Through joint initiatives, such as developing excursions and familiarization trips to promote the island nation to key feeder markets, Emirates and SLTPB aim to grow the tourism industry of the popular Indian Ocean destination by showcasing the destination to customers across the airline's global network. The joint efforts to boost the nation's tourist industry have supported a steady increase in inbound traffic into the island, which recorded just over 2 million visitors in 2024. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Emirates carried over 240,000 passengers into Sri Lanka from key markets around its network including Rusia, the UK, Germany, Australia, China, and the US, among others. Emirates and the Moroccan National Tourist Office will explore ways to promote inbound tourism to Morocco from key destinations on the airline's vast global network. The agreement directly supports Morocco's strategic roadmap to double the size of the tourism sector and ultimately make it one of the top 20 destinations for visitors in the world. The partners will explore programmes for trade partners and tour operators to further educate and incentivise the travel industry, in addition to familiarisation trips and other marketing initiatives to increase visibility of the destination within Emirates' network. Morocco has ambitious targets to develop tourism, aiming to attract 17.5 million visitors annually by 2026 and create 200,000 new jobs in the sector. 2024 marked a record-breaking year, with 17.4 million tourists visiting the kingdom. The partnership inked at Arabian Travel Market directly support this vision, leveraging Emirates' frictionless travel options and vast global network to further promote the destination in key target markets. Emirates and Tourism Seychelles have renewed their longstanding commitment to support the travel and tourism industry of the country. Building on a partnership established in 2013, the MoU aims to increase inbound tourist traffic to Seychelles, with a focus on key feeder markets within the airline's extensive network. Emirates has been a major contributor to Seychelles' tourism successes over the years, with the island welcoming more than 350,000 tourist arrivals in 2024. Joint initiatives that have contributed to healthy visitor numbers include marketing campaigns targeted at European markets like Austria. Emirates and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas will partner on joint promotional campaigns in key markets to boost tourist arrivals into The Bahamas, by showcasing the destination's appeal to visitors and holidaymakers. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will support Emirates' efforts by providing tour operators and travel agents in key target markets with promotional giveaways, special packages, incentives and marketing spend. Emirates and the Warsaw Tourism Organization will work together for the first time to develop inbound passenger traffic from key markets in the airline's global network to the city. Both entities will explore developing joint advertising campaigns and organizing familiarization trips for media representatives and travel agents to Warsaw. These initiatives aim to boost awareness of Warsaw's cultural richness and strengthen its positioning as a key gateway in Central Europe. Emirates and the Nigerian Ministry of Art Culture Tourism and the Creative Economy will work closely to boost international visitors to Nigeria. The partnership underscores the airline's commitment to the market through attracting visitors from across its global network of more than 140 passenger destinations, as Nigeria's tourism roadmap aims to make the country a major holiday destination in Africa, driven by significant investments in infrastructure, tourist facilities, and enhanced air connectivity to and from the country. The partnership between Emirates and the Ministry — to be driven by its agency for tourism promotion, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) — supports this exciting new chapter and is further bolstered by the recently signed interline agreement between Emirates and Air Peace, which expands Emirates' reach to 13 additional cities across Nigeria. Both partners will develop programmes for trade partners, hoteliers and tour operators, as well as exploring incentives, familiarisation trips and other marketing initiatives.
