On August 28, 2021 the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the support of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry and Sri Lankan Airlines Office in Saudi Arabia organized an awareness webinar for Saudi outbound tour operators in the Kingdom (KSA). The webinar attracted around 90 tour companies and representatives who engage in the outbound tourism industry operating in several cities of KSA including Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah.
During his welcoming remarks, Additional Secretary (Economic Affairs) of the Foreign Ministry P.M. Amza briefed on the historical bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and KSA. He further said that “I would like you to choose your next destination as Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is the place that gives everything you expect whether it’s a nature, culture or adventure whatever the way you wish to enjoy my country” .
In the keynote presentation, Acting Managing Director of SLTPB Madubhani Perera briefed on Sri Lanka Tourism Strategy, and current health protocols to be followed by the visitors. She outlined the measures which are set in place as well as the future tourism promotional activities to enhance the tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka from KSA.
In his speech, Director (Marketing) of SLTPB Dushan Wickramasuriya briefed on the positive dynamics on the Saudi visitors who have placed Sri Lanka as their best tourist destination appraising the Sri Lankan hospitality, the nature, culture, cuisine and many more. He highlighted that the convenient air connectivity between Sri Lanka and KSA would also attract visitors from the Kingdom as they are eagerly looking forward to travel after the Covid pandemic.
During the speech, the Committee Member of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) Nalaka Amaratunga, Chief Executive Officer of the Hotel Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) Amal Goonatilleke, member of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism (ASMET) Dinesh Pathirana briefed about the industry readiness to receive guests from KSA with maximum safety adhering to all health guidelines and giving the best comfort for the visitors.
Representing the Saudi outbound tour operators, Head of Holidays and MICE of Arjaa Travels and Tourism KSA Hussam Hariri briefed on the air travel options for Saudi tourists to reach Sri Lanka, and the target travelers from KSA and visa facilities. He further mentioned that they extend their support to facilitate Saudi nationals and other expatriates living in the Kingdom to visit Sri Lanka. Chargé d’ Affaires a.i. of the Embassy in Riyadh Dulmith Waruna delivered the closing remarks and the event was moderated by Minister (Commerce) Pattiwila.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Riyadh
30 September, 2021
