Sri Lanka is participating at the Dutch Tourism Expo “Vakentiebeurs 2011”, which is being held from 11th to 16th January, 2011 in Utrecht, in The Netherlands.
The “Vakentiebeurs” is a popular tourism trade fair in the Benelux region which has been held in The Netherlands since 1970. This is the 29th time that Sri Lanka is taking part in the fair as organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in close coordination with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in The Hague.
The theme for the “Vakentiebeurs 2011” is ‘unforgettable destinations’. The Expo brings together tour operators, travel trade professionals, travel journalists, consumers and other interested parties under one roof to meet and network in order to market tourism products and services. Around 120 countries with more than 1100 exhibitors are represented at the “Vakenbeures 2011” which is expected to attract around 100,000 visitors.
Ten Sri Lankan companies namely Asian Adventures, Sunway Holidays, Ceylon Tours, Jetwing Travels, Lanka Leisure Travel, ECO Team, Walkers Tours, Andrews Travels, Journey’s Scape and Hawk Travels are represented at the Sri Lanka pavilion. The Netherlands is one of the important tourism markets for Sri Lanka which has recorded 58.2% increase in arrivals in 2010.
Ambassador Grace Asirwatham inaugurated the Sri Lanka pavilion by lighting the oil lamp. The Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Rotterdam Mr. Bernard Menken, The Netherlands-Sri Lanka Business Council President Mr. Ton Hens, officials of the Sri Lankan Airlines GSA in Amsterdam, CBI coordinator for Sri Lanka and tour operators attended the inauguration. The inauguration programme included Sri Lankan dance performances and service of Sri Lankan Rasa Kevili in order to make the event more colorful with a touch of food and culture.
Sri Lanka Embassy
The Hague
12th January, 2011
