Sri Lanka Tourism held three roadshows showcasing its high potential as an important travel destination for Australian Tourists to spend their dream holiday during the Winter season. These
Roadshows are scheduled in three main Australian cities, namely Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
The first roadshow was held at the Pan Pacific hotel in Perth on the 11 th of July 2023, which kicked off with the participation of Hon. Minister of Tourism, Harin Fernando, Honorary Consul
for Sri Lanka in Western Australia, Rosh Jalagge , Mr. Chalaka Gajabahu , Chairman , Sri Lanka ,Tourism Promotion Bureau , and Mr. Sanath Jaysuriya, Sri Lanka Tourism Ambassador .
On the sidelines of the event, several important discussions took place with the Deputy Premier, Treasurer, and Minister of Transport and Tourism of the Government of Western Australia Rita Saffioti. This included an informative discussion between Hon. Minister of Tourism, Harin Fernando and Ms. Rita Saffioti , on launching direct flights from Perth to Colombo. The possibilities of cultural exchange programmes, Sports Holidays were discussed, and it was followed by an event held for industry experts, including travel agents and the Sri Lankan community in Australia on promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination. Plans were
initiated on holding a grand tourism roadshow targeting 2024, including the key factors, products which could be marketed, and various avenues which could be promoted.
The second roadshow in Sydney, which was held at Four Seasons Hotel on 13 th July, concluded on a successful note, bringing positive output held from the discussions between Qantas
Airways, Australia’s national carrier, and Jet Star. Further, Hon. Minister had discussions with Flight Center, for future collaboration in promoting the destination. At this occasion, Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Australia, H.E Chitranganie Wageeshwara , also joined with Hon . Minister and Chairman SLTPB, for a discussion with the participants. The final roadshow will be held in Melbourne, on 17 th July at Westin Hotel, which is expected to attract a considerable number of Industry stakeholders and travelers searching for a new destination to suit their holiday needs. Australia has been an important destination in the Tourism schedule since it has the potential of attracting a large number of Australian tourists to Sri Lanka, considered as an emerging market for Sri Lanka Tourism, because of the close relationship between the two nations held for many years.
