Tourism Workshop on Conducted for Tour Operators in the Republic of Belarus
25th September 2014
Mega Tourism Caravan 7, which is the annual flagship Tourism promotion programme of the Sri Lankan Embassy in the Russian Federation accredited to Republic of Belarus as part of its much sort after activities conducted a comprehensive workshop for Tour Agents and Operators on Tourism Promotion at the conference hall of Hotel Beijing in Minsk, the capital of the Republic of Belarus on the 25 September 2014.
His Excellency Udayanga Weeratunga the Ambassador of Sri Lanka commenced the proceedings of the workshop with a very informative and an educative presentation on Sri Lanka Tourism. During the presentation he provided insights into Sri Lankan history, culture, society, climatic conditions, major tourist attractions, important cities, visa procedures and recent infrastructure developments in the spheres’ of socio – economic and tourism. The eye catching dancing performances of the Dancers Guild directed by maestro Chandana Wickramasinghe was a major attraction at the workshop.
The turn-out for the workshops exceeded 200 participants. During the workshops the participants were issued with tourism promotional materials such as leaflets, booklets, and audio CD’s and many more. The package of two Audio CD’s gives an exclusive commentary on 49 important tourist locations and covers Colombo, Kelaniya, Pinnawela Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Mihintale Polonnraruwa, Euwara Eliya, Kandy, Yala nad Galle. The package which is been published in Russian language which is widely used in the Republic of Belarus is an excellent tour guide to the tourists from Republic of Belarus.
The enthusiasm and the keenness with which the participants indulged in the activities of the workshop was a testimony to its success. One factor which cannot be overlooked in this instance is the fluency with which HE Udayanga Weerathunga explained the relevant details to all the participants. His vast knowledge on tourism and the requirements of those who intend visiting Sri Lanka from the Republic of Belarus contributed in no small way in convincing all the tour operators and the agents present that Sri Lanka is country which has all the facilities to make a visitors stay exciting and enjoyable. This no doubt was a major contributory factor to the successful conduct of the workshop for tour operators and their agents in the Republic of Belarus.
The workshop which was held at the Minsk city is the capital and largest city of Belarus, situated on the Svislach and Nyamiha rivers. It is the administrative centre of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). In 2013, it had a population of 2,002,600.
The earliest historical references to Minsk date to the 11th century (1067), when it was noted as a provincial city within the principality of larger Polotsk city. Polotsk is a historical city in Belarus, situated on the Dvina River. It was part of a region annexed by the Russian Empire in 1793, as a consequence of the Second Partition of Poland. From 1919–1991, after the Russian Revolution, Minsk was the capital of the Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic within the Soviet Union.
The successful workshop in Minsk city was followed by shopping mall activation at the ‘Stolista Mall’ again drawing a considerable crowd. Shopping mall activation was repeated on the 26 September 2014 as well once again providing entertainment to a large crowd from the Minsk city.
