High-profile German travel industry delegation arrives tomorrow

A high-ranking delegation of Germany’s tourism industry led by German Travel Association (DRV) President Norbert Fiebig will arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow on the invitation of Tourism Minister John Amaratunga to evaluate the country’s tourism scene in the aftermath of Easter attacks in April.

According to Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB), the delegation will mostly consist of DRV’s Technical Committee members on Outbound Tourism.

“We want to picture and express what Sri Lanka is and how the destination has coped with challenges this year and are eager to see and hear about Sri Lanka´s recovery. 

“And we will build up on these impressions. It is our aim to talk to local tourism industry and governmental institutions about the ways to market Sri Lanka effectively on the German source market,” a SLTPB statement said quoting Fiebig.

“If all goes well, we will be back next year with our DRV´s Destination Forum accompanied with approximately 60 travel agents and the number 1 German tourism trade magazine in an effort to boost booking numbers from Germany,” he added.

“After the visit of the Travel Agents Association of India, they decided to have their Annual Conference in Sri Lanka this year. Similarly, we hope that DRV will also have their Destination Forum in Sri Lanka,” SLTPB Managing Director Charmarie Maelge said.

Up to September this year, Sri Lanka has had welcomed 93, 886 German tourists. In 2018, German arrivals stood at 156, 888. Germany was the number one tourist market for Sri Lanka from 1986 onwards until 1995.

SLTPB said Italian travel association ASTOI and the Belgium travel association ABTO are expected to visit the country next month, followed by travel associations from the UK.