Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau has been named a premier partner for WTM London as the island’s tourism industry continues to bounce back following the Easter Sunday bombing.
The partnership will herald global coverage for the destination, which has also teamed up with former Sri Lankan cricket team captain Kumar Sangakkara to boost the country’s tourism recovery.
Sangakkara will promote the destination’s key tourist attractions, which are being marketed under the “So Sri Lanka” brand campaign.
Visitor numbers plunged by 70% in the wake of the terror attack in April, but efforts by the Sri Lankan tourism industry has seen a sooner-than-expected recovery, shown in September by the drop in holidaymakers narrowing to 20%.
Tourist arrivals in 2018 had reached a record 2.3 million – worth almost $4.4 billion – and numbers look set to top two million in 2019.
John Amaratunga, minister of tourism development, wildlife and Christian religious affairs, said: “We are fortunate to have the world united in supporting us and rallying around to help the tourism industry. This has helped spread economic benefits far-reaching to many other important economic sectors too; and also to local communities who need it most.”