Sri Lanka Tourism Hosts Awareness Session in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai

• To Reinforce Readiness and Strengthen India Market Engagement

9th January 2025

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) successfully conducted a Sri Lanka Tourism Awareness Session in New Delhi on 7 January, Mumbai on the 8 January and Chennai on the 9th January 2026, aimed at reaffirming Sri Lanka’s readiness to welcome visitors and strengthening tourism ties with the Indian travel trade and media.

An Awareness Session on Sri Lanka Tourism was successfully conducted in New Delhi, aimed at informing the Indian travel trade and media on Sri Lanka’s readiness to welcome visitors. The session was represented by Her Excellency Mahishini Colonne, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to New Delhi, Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman, and Ms. Shirani Herath, Assistant Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Mr. Nalin Jayasundera, the President of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), Mr. Anura Lokuhetty, the Past President of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), and Mr. Fawzan Fareid, the Regional Manager – India, Bangladesh & Nepal of SriLankan Airlines. Ms. Priyanga Wickremasinghe, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai, while the Chennai session was attended by H.E. Dr. Ganesanathan Geathiswaran, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Chennai.

The distinguished panel shared valuable insights on destination readiness, connectivity, accommodation capacity, and collaborative opportunities between Sri Lanka and the Indian travel trade. The discussion reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to the Indian market, highlighting enhanced air connectivity, diverse tourism offerings, and close public–private sector collaboration. The interactive Q&A session further addressed trade and media queries, reinforcing confidence and strengthening partnerships to drive tourist arrivals from India.

Last year marked a significant milestone for Sri Lanka Tourism, with total tourist arrivals reaching an all-time high of 2,362,521. Notably, India also recorded its highest-ever contribution, with 531,511 arrivals, accounting for 22.3% of the total market share, reaffirming India’s position as Sri Lanka’s leading source market.

“Last year marked a historic milestone for tourism, recording the highest total arrivals to date. India also emerged as the largest source market, contributing the highest number of visitor arrivals during the year.”

The session brought together key stakeholders from India’s travel trade, tour operators, airlines, media representatives, and industry partners, providing an important platform to share updated information on destination readiness, connectivity, safety, and new tourism experiences available in Sri Lanka. The awareness programme featured presentations and a panel discussion led by the Sri Lankan delegation, highlighting Sri Lanka’s diverse tourism offerings, including leisure, culture, wellness, adventure, wildlife, MICE, and weddings. Special emphasis was placed on seamless travel facilitation, improved air connectivity, and the country’s commitment to providing safe, high-quality, and memorable travel experiences for Indian travellers.

Speaking at the session, representatives of Sri Lanka Tourism emphasized the importance of India as a key source market. They reiterated Sri Lanka’s proactive approach to engaging with travel partners to provide accurate and timely information. The session also addressed recent concerns faced by travellers and outlined measures taken to ensure uninterrupted tourism services and visitor confidence.

The interactive Q&A segment enabled participants to engage directly with the Sri Lankan delegation, fostering transparency, collaboration, and stronger business partnerships between Sri Lanka and India’s tourism industry. The three-city awareness session is part of a broader series of outreach programme organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai from 07th to 09th January 2026, aimed at reinforcing positive destination messaging and driving tourist arrivals from India.

Sri Lanka Tourism continues to work closely with its partners to position the island as a preferred year-round destination for Indian travellers, offering rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, warm hospitality, and value-driven travel experiences.