The Tourism Promotion Partnership Event-2022 was organized by The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Iran at its Chancery premises in Tehran on the 6th of April 2022 with the support of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Associations of Air Transport and Tourist Agencies of Iran. About 75 guests, mostly travel agents and tour operators, airline representatives, journalists, academics, travel consultants, and industry professionals and bloggers were in attendance. The goal of the event was to increase partnerships in promoting Sri Lanka tourism in Iran and to share the current tourism growth in Sri Lanka among the people of Iran.
Greeting the guests, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Iran, Vipulatheja Wishwanath Aponsu said, “Tourists from Iran assist the Sri Lanka tourism industry, building-up multilateral connections, and people-to-people communications between Sri Lanka and Iran. A destination cannot stand on its own and therefore, it is vital to set up secure partnerships among all stakeholders in the tourism trade to develop the existing tourism cooperation between the two countries.”
In his all-inclusive presentation by virtual mode, the Director (Marketing) of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Dushan Wickramasuriya presented Sri Lanka as a country of historical monuments, natural marvels, distinctive lifestyles with more appetizing typical cuisine, and a secure destination. Highlighting the current growth of tourist arrivals from Iran, he informed them about Sri Lanka’s tourism hospitality, the way ahead for the industry and present health protocols to be followed by the visitors during their holiday in Sri Lanka.
The immersive session of the event produced a platform for Iranian tourism stakeholders to solve their issues, barriers, and challenges straight from Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Embassy Officials. All participants agreed to work together with the Sri Lanka Embassy in promoting Sri Lanka tourism and emphasized the requirement for more awareness programs on Sri Lanka tourism. The problem of direct air connectivity between Tehran and Colombo, the possibility of entering into the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran in the field of tourism, and many other matters which include travel packages, discounted air tickets, and training opportunities were shown.
In response, Ambassador Wishwanath Aponsu appreciated their dedication and interest to join hands with the Sri Lanka Embassy in promoting Sri Lanka tourism and assured to bring some issues to the attention of appropriate authorities in Sri Lanka. Calling to attention the Tourism stakeholders’ assistance for securing Iran among the top 10 tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka from the 01st to 29th March 2022, Sri Lanka’s representatives looked for their continued support to inspire more Iranian tourists to Sri Lanka in the future.
Hormatullah Raflei, Chairman of the Association of Air Transport and Tourist Agencies of Iran, in his brief comment, thanked the Sri Lanka Ambassador and the staff for the invitation to him for the event. While highlighting the result of the productive event, he guaranteed his Association’s complete assistance to set up a strong partnership network among appropriate stakeholders authorizing Iran to send more tourists to Sri Lanka in the coming months.
Videos on Sri Lanka tourism were also shown during the event. The participants were treated to a high tea organized by the Embassy. A door gift pack of Sri Lanka tea and tokens was given to all guests.
