Sri Lanka participates in UITT 2013 and UTF 2013
25-29 March 2013
Amidst heavy snow fall of more than 20 inches, according to the Forecast Department in the State Weather Service the largest amount to fall in one weekend since records began in 1889, and the Government declaring Monday a day off for all state workers in the capital, the Sri Lankan delegation led by the Ambassador Udayanga Weeratunga continued with the Mega Tourism Road Show in Kiev, Ukraine. On 25 March the delegation participated in the renowned “Ukrainian Travel Forum” and on 27 March the delegation participated in the renowned “Ukraine International Travel and Trade Exhibition”.
On 25 March, Sri Lanka received another accolade by been invited by the organizers as the country partner of the 10th Ukrainian Travel Forum (spring). The Ambassador was the “Chief Guest” at the opening ceremony which was attended by Mr. Arkady Maslov, founder and General Director of the Ukrainian Tourist Forum and representatives of about 70 countries and 30 hotel companies.
The Ambassador who delivered the welcome note at the press conference, firstly, thanked the country and the nation profusely for the excellent upbringing that was inculcated in him. The Ambassador said during the last six years the diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Ukraine has strengthen than before and the visit of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2010 has allowed the significant growth in trade relations between two countries. Further, he stated the tourist arrivals from Ukraine have marked a remarkable growth of 124 per cent in 2012 whilst attracting more than twenty two thousand Ukrainian tourists. He also spoke about the opening of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport which has a passenger terminal equipped with the latest state of the art technologies in the field of aviation service.
This event was followed by the workshop for tour operators and gracefully accepting an invitation by the organizers the Ambassador delivered the first lecture of the day on Sri Lanka for nearly 90 minutes. During his lecture the Ambassador covered salient points such as history, climatic conditions, major tourist attractions, major cities, visa procedures and recent infrastructure developments in the spheres’ of socio – economic and tourism.
The photo exhibition arranged by the Embassy was the centre piece of the opening of the UTF 2013, and covered visits of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Republic of Kazakhstan. It also displayed major tourist destinations of the country namely; Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Kandy, Sigiriya, Pinnawela and Nuwara Eliya along with scenic and pristine beaches along both Western and Eastern coast, Sri Lankan cuisine, traditional dancing and wild life.
The promotional events were held Ukraine International Travel and Trade Exhibition. The Ukraine International Travel and Tourism exhibition (UITT) is the largest and most important travel industry event in Ukraine. It attracts key international travel industry players looking to promote their products and increase their presence in the Ukrainian market. Representatives from all over the world come to UITT travel exhibition to develop new international channels to increase the volume of tourism and investment in their respective countries. UITT is an effective way to develop trade and tourism, allowing visitors the opportunity to exploit the presence of 750 exhibitors and exchange ideas and experiences. This year also, the Embassy with the collaboration of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau arranged the Sri Lankan stand with participants of Sri Lankan stand been Concord Travels, Aitken Spence Travels, Jetwing Travels, Delux Holidays, Royal Holidays, Mt. Lavinia Hotel and Bernard Tours.
