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The “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, Sri Lanka, will shine brightly at the 2018 Travel Industry Exhibition, on from 21-22 August at Sydney’s Darling Harbour.

Event sponsor, Sri Lanka Tourism will officially open the expo with traditional Sri Lankan dances, with various local experiences such as Ceylon tea-drinking ceremonies held throughout the day.

Event Director David Paterson, of organiser Exhibitions & Trade Fairs, said, “As a destination, Sri Lanka has so much to offer the MICE and Luxury sectors, with its blend of South Asian and European traditions and spectacular landscapes. We are absolutely delighted to have Sri Lanka Tourism as a sponsor, with the biggest floor-show offering for visitors in the event’s history.”

Mr Paterson said Sri Lanka Tourism was spread across 15 stands, showcasing hotels, tour operators, eco-lodges, high-end luxury hotels and travel agencies. Five companies will also give seminars in the Experience Hub.

Abdul Raheem, Consul Commercial of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka, said, “We’re most excited to showcase the best of Sri Lanka Tourism to the Australian travel industry, and demonstrate the array of options available. Some 2,500 years of culture is on show with a fusion of European and South Asian traditions to be seen, including some of the world’s most pristine beaches, to Ceylon tea county in the verdant hills. With UNESCO-listed biodiversity such as the Sri Lankan Leopard, and some world-class surf breaks, the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ has something for everybody.

“The Travel Industry Exhibition provides the perfect platform to learn all that is Sri Lanka, allowing attendees to treat their clients to an incredible getaway. Whether you’re a travel agent or part of the MICE industry, Sri Lanka is fast becoming one of Australia’s favourite destinations.” He urged delegates to visit the Sri Lanka Pavilion for their “own slice of paradise”.

Mr Paterson said attendees could learn more about Sri Lanka as a destination through 30-minute sessions at the Experience Hub.

Day one, 21 August:

  • 11am “Rejuvenate yourself!”: Hotel Tree of Life, Kandy – With Colonial-style architecture surrounded by highland tea crops, this luxurious wellness retreat offers authentic Ayurveda under the supervision of two doctors and world-class trained staff. Visitors can invest in their health, and experience wellness through physical, psychological and spiritual activities.
  • 4pm “Bespoke Sri Lanka”: Seasons Travels + Luxe Asia – Seasons Travels crafts bespoke experiences to suit Australian and New Zealand travellers’ needs. LUXE ASIA is a regional Destination Management Company handling globally in-bound tourists. Specialising in designing custom tour packages for tour operators and individuals, it also offers Ultra by Luxe designed for the luxury traveller.

 Day two, 22 August:

  • 11am “All Inclusive Sri Lanka”: Riu Sri Lanka – Opened in 2016, this “all-inclusive, 24-hour” hotel was RIU Hotels & Resorts chain’s first Asian hotel. From kids’ clubs to conference facilities, with a world-class beach and sunset, this five-star option will recharge visitors’ batteries.
  • 4pm “One Stop Shop”: World Travel Centre Colombo – A one-stop travel solution for everything Sri Lanka and The Maldives, including coach tours, sports tours, assisted holidays, MICE tours and tailor-made options. With 14 years’ experience and travel experts ready to help 24/7, this is aimed to satisfy every traveller’s needs.

Mr Paterson said other exhibitors in the Sri Lanka zone were: specialist inbound and outbound tour operator Centauria Travels; Viluxur Holidays, an inbound agent for The Maldives and Sri Lanka; Destination Management Companies Ceylon Roots and Getaway Sri Lanka; destination management solutions provider Jetwing, which fits responsible, sustainable and nature tourism segments as well as business travel; Golden Isle Travel; Karusan Travels, a tour operator in Sri Lanka and The Maldives, with tour products for Culture & Heritage, Nature & Wildlife, Eco & Agro Tourism, Gardens & Landscape, Food & Art, Adventure & Sports, Wellness & Spa, Land & Underwater Photography, Wedding & Honeymoon and Beach & Leisure; Flameback Eco Lodge, nestled amidst a bird sanctuary by the tranquil Weerawila Lake; The Indian Hotels Company Limited, offering a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and world-class service; and the statutory body responsible for promoting and marketing Sri Lanka tourism globally, The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.

Mr Paterson said, “With a sold-out show floor, and more space dedicated to the Luxury and MICE sectors as industry desires showed, attendees at this year’s Travel Industry Exhibition will be immersed in information, resources and experiences they can use whether they’re in the MICE, Luxury or Mobile sector.”

Free registration is open for the 2018 Travel Industry Exhibition, http://travelindustryexpo.com.au.

Date: 21-22 August. New location: Dockside Darling Harbour, Sydney.