Day Two of ATM in Dubai saw the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and the Sri Lankan Consulate in Dubai hosting a press conference in DWTC in the conference suite.

Mr Dushan Wickramasuriya, Director Marketing, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau gave a very informative presentation with excellent slides explaining to the assembled members of a press, which was maybe 100 persons. He explained the unique attraction of Sri Lanka that it’s not just a 1000 km or so of pristine beaches lined with coconut trees, but it’s also the 2500 years of culture and recorded heritage in the mountains and in the temples. It is also of course the wildlife parks and cultural destinations.

His Excellency, The Hon. Alexei Gunasekara, who is the Sri Lanka Consul General for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, he explained his mission and desire to get more Emirati and more expats, who are living in the UAE to come and visit Sri Lanka. He wants people to come and explore the natural beauty and the outstanding heritage. 

Mr Alexei is well-known in public circles. having achieved so much in the last year and a half that he’s been based in Dubai and his passion for his country, it’s very evident.

Mr Sampath Nissanka, Managing Director SRI LANKA TOURISM PROMOTION BUREAU gave a very interesting insight as to the future of how they intend to promote Sri Lanka for a more well heeled audience in addition to the present backpackers and beach visitors. 

Mr Jayantha Abeysinghe, Regional Manager – Middle East, Sri Lanka Airlines explained how they are operating more flights to Sri Lanka and the business class is now having lay flat beds as well as excellent on board service, which you would expect from the well known hospitality of Sri Lankan people.

In summary, the press conference was well received by the 100 or so, members of the media and press in the audience. With the question and answer session being particularly very informative.

There were various questions from the audience. One in particular was how many people tourists can Sri Lanka accommodate at one time? It was explained by Mr. Alexi, that there has been considerable infrastructure enhancements and also representatives from the tourism and the hotel associations. He further explained that the present targeted 3 million tourists can easily be accommodated, within a few short years that will rise too accommodating 5 to 6 million.

Members of the audience expressed their belief that Sri Lanka within the next decade Sri Lanka will easily accommodate ten million tourists a year because of the diversity of new hotel rooms, variety of locations and attractions too tourists.