Mega Tourism Road Show Successfully Promotes Sri Lankan Tourism in Russia & Ukraine
17 to 31 March 2013
The “Mega Tourism Road Show” which was conducted in the Russian Federation and Ukraine for three weeks concluded its journey on 31 March. This epic campaign under taken by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russia, under the personal supervision of the Ambassador Udayanga Weeeratunga, with the collaboration of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau was a huge success in promoting Sri Lanka Tourism and opened enormous avenues to all Sri Lankan participants to expand respective business ventures.
Further, it also facilitated to further the existing political and cultural relations between Sri Lanka – Russia and Sri Lanka – Ukraine as Ambassador Weeratunga very successfully managed to harness the Diplomatic Corps in both political and cultural spheres, Leading Travel and Tour Operators, High Profile Media Officials, Senior Officials of both public and private sector of both countries and most importantly the General Public. The lectures, presentations, press briefings, public addresses and interactions of the Ambassador were the major contributing factors in harnessing people of all walks of life.
Saint Petersburg, the “Venice of the North” posed an ideal launching pad for this campaign. Promotional activities which started on 17 March were conducted for three successive days with shopping mall activation in Mega Dybenko, Sri Lankan Cultural Night and Photo Exhibition at Moscow Hotel, Workshop and one to one meetings at the Hotel Oktyabskaya and other associated activities.
Moscow which has the largest community of billionaires in the world was the second stop of the campaign. Successful promotional activities conducted with the participation of fifteen leading Sri Lankan Travel and Tour Operators in the legendary Moscow International Travel and Trade Exhibition was the main event in Moscow. Sri Lankan Night, the cultural show dedicated to the Diplomatic Corps and shopping mall activation at Mega Belya Dacha for the general public were also well attended and received in Moscow.
For the first time from its commencement the management of the Ukrainian Travel Forum recognized Sri Lanka as the partner country of this annual event which is the most renowned in the Eastern Europe. The exuberant opening and closing addresses delivered by the Ambassador with scintillating performance of Sri Lankan Dancers in sidelines added more glamour and pomp to the forum. Participation at the Ukrainian International Travel and Tourism Exhibition, Reception and Sri Lankan Night to the Diplomatic Corps, Shopping Mall activation at Caravan and Dream City were the other major events in Kiev, Ukraine.
After successfully completing the Mega Tourism Road Show in Russia and Ukraine, His Excellency Udayanga Weeratunga hosted the participants for a dinner at the residence, in which there was also a gift presentation as a token of appreciation to all the participants. H.E the Ambassador appreciated the efforts of all the participants including the dancers and other exhibitors representating various authorities assisted to make the Roadshow a success. Maj.Gen N. Udawatta, Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Viranga Bandara, Junior Manager of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Mr. Chandana Wickramasinghe also spoke in the event. Later the participants enjoyed a delicious Sri Lankan meal and Ceylon Tea.
Participation of Laksala, Siddhalepa, Leading Travel and Tour Operators of Sri Lanka and the unparalleled performances by the Dancing Guild of Maestro Chandana Wickramasinghe were the main anchors of this accomplishment. Collaboration and sponsorship of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the persevering and resolute leadership of His Excellency Udayanga Weeratunga duly supported by the staff enabled this mammoth campaign to become a reality and a success.
