Sri Lanka travel show planned in Canada

Sept 27, 2011 (LBO) - A travel show to boost tourism to Sri Lanka wil be held in Toronto, Canada where the bulk of existing tourist traffic is now directed to India and the Maldives, its organizers said. "There is a lack of packages to Sri Lanka with travel agents in North America compared to India and Maldives," Yusri Abdulla, representing Travels and Holidays Network, a UK based firm that is organizing the event said.

He said a large portion of the outbound travel from Toronto is now directed to India and with the end of a war Sri Lanka has a chance to take part of the North American market.

The company is planning a series of similar promotional events in UK, Germany, Japan, India, China and Australia over the next year.

Suvi Wijayaratna, chief organizer of the event said in a statement that the show is a private sector financed event.

Sri Lanka's Tourism Promotions Bureau, Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Board of Investments of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tea Board, Sri Lanka Gem & Jewelry Authority and Sri Lankan Airline is giving "guidance and the assistance" for the organizers said.

Subran Cader, who is acting for the firm in Colombo says inbound travel companies, hotels, an