11 March 2016 10:11 am
The Sri Lanka Pavilion was a big draw at the world’s largest travel and trade show, ITB which opened in Berlin on Wednesday.
This year’s ITB is of special significance to Sri Lanka as it is the 50th consecutive year the country is participating at this show. Incidentally ITB and Sri Lanka Tourism are both celebrating their golden jubilees this year.
Minister of Tourism Development John Amaratunga is leading Sri Lanka’s delegation to this historic event this year.
The Sri Lanka delegation consists of 64 leading travel industry organizations. Special prominence is being given to promoting Sri Lanka’s new beach resorts, wild life, Ayurveda, heritage and culture targeting the German travel market.
The attractive Sri Lanka Pavilion was inaugurated by German Member of Parliament,
Jurgen Klimke along with Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany and Switzerland, Dr. Karunatileka Amunugama, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Paddy Withana, Chairman, SriLankan Airlines, Ajith Dias, Advisor to the Prime Minister Dinesh Weerakkody and Advisor to the Minister of Tourism Development, Felix Rodrigo.
Presidents of SLAITO, CCHA, ASMET and other board members participated at the opening ceremony and the lighting of the traditional oil lamp.
Ambassador Amunugama made the welcome address which was followed by a speech by MP Jurgen Klimke, who focused on the socio, cultural and economic relations between the two countries.
SLTPB Chairman Paddy Withana thanked the Sri Lankan and German travel industry representatives for the support extended over the years and called for their support to achieve the arrivals target for this year.