The Sri Lanka Embassy in Belgium and Turkish Airlines organized an engaging Destination Awareness Dinner on 29 April at Sri Lanka Residence welcoming over 40 participants from the travel and tourism industry in Belgium.
The participation of leading outbound tour operators, travel agents and journalists reflected a growing interest in Sri Lanka as a sought-after travel destination. Walkers Tours Pvt Ltd, one of Sri Lanka’s leading Destination Management Companies, also took part in the event, showcasing the country’s diverse tourism offerings and their company offerings.
The event was timely, as global tourism and airline operations continue to navigate challenging conditions. The evening also underscored the importance of reliable connectivity between Europe and Asia. Turkish Airlines, which has maintained uninterrupted operations, was highlighted as a dependable and convenient link for travelers heading to Sri Lanka from Europe, including Belgium.
Sri Lanka Ambassador Chandana Weerasena, in his opening remarks shared encouraging insights into the steady rise of European particularly Belgian tourists visiting Sri Lanka. He noted with pride that Sri Lanka recorded its highest ever tourist arrivals in 2025, both from the world and from Belgium. He emphasized the country’s unique appeal and encouraged continued collaboration in promoting its diverse travel experiences.
The Minister Commercial at the Embassy, Thavishya Mullegamgoda, brought Sri Lanka’s tourism offerings to life in her comprehensive presentation. From pristine beaches, ancient heritage sites, wildlife safaris and new tourism segments ranging from wedding & honeymoon, eco & sustainable tourism expeditions, adventure tours to MICE tourism, her presentation painted a vivid picture of the island’s authentic and diverse tourism offerings. The presentation captivated the audience and sparked enthusiasm to market Sri Lanka as a must-visit destination.
Adding an industry perspective, Business Development Manager of Walkers Tours Pvt Ltd, Madura Hettiarachchi introduced the audience to the company’s innovative and non-traditional tourism experiences. As part of the John Keells Holdings group, Walkers Tours offers integrated travel solutions alongside its sister brands, Cinnamon Hotels and Cinnamon Air. This unique synergy allows travelers to enjoy seamless, end-to-end travel planning and an advantage that drew strong interest from attending agents. His presentation, complemented by striking visuals of Sri Lanka, further captured the audience’s imagination.
Marketing Representative at Turkish Airlines, Amina Koktain, provided insights into the airline’s extensive connectivity with Sri Lanka. With 4–5 daily flights from Brussels to Istanbul and 11 onward weekly connections to Colombo, the airline offers flexible and convenient travel options. She also highlighted enhancements to the passenger experience, including its acclaimed Business Class and award-winning Economy Class services.
Guests were treated to an authentic Sri Lankan dinner, offering many their first taste of the island’s rich culinary heritage. The evening concluded on a lively note with an interactive quiz. Erik Schoen from Uniglobe Robinson Travel won an economy class ticket to Sri Lanka offered by Turkish Airlines and Maura De Brandt from BTS Travel won a prize of a land package featuring accommodation and transfers offered by Walkers Tours.
The event proved to be a resounding success, strengthening ties between the Sri Lankan tourism sector, Belgian travel professionals and Turkish Airlines in promoting Sri Lanka as a premier travel destination which is the need of the hour to attract more European tourists to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Embassy
Brussels
08 May 2026
