Sri Lanka Tourism in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Embassy participated at the annual Reiselismessen Tourism Fair, held from 15th to 17th  January 2016 in Oslo.  The Fair is one of the most popular and important international meeting places for the  global travel industry in the region, with over 550 stalls from the travel industry, tour companies, Airlines, hotel industry, tourist authorities combined with embassies in Oslo.  A Sri Lankan delegation consisting of inbound  Tour Operators and Travel Agents, as well as the General Sales Agent (GSA) for SriLankan Airlines for Scandinavia and Finland participated at the Sri Lankan booth enticing Norwegian visitors to visit Sri Lanka to experience the countries’ ancient heritage, magnificent natural wonders, wildlife, and marvelous hospitality extended to travelers by the people of Sri Lanka.  The fair attracted almost 40,000 visitors.

The Tourism booth of Sri Lanka was ceremonially opened by Mrs. T.P. Dharmasena, Charge de Affaires a.i by lighting the traditional oil lamp along with Mr. Rizwan Wadood of Silvertree travel company in Norway and Ms. Farzana Karim, representative of SriLankan Airlines for Scandinavia & Finland.  Representatives from the inbound tour operating companies in Sri Lanka, Mr. Dilshan Sirisena and Mr. Ajit Benjamin of Butterfly Vacations as well as Mr. D.K.R. Dharmapala, of Lanka Sportreizen also participated at the Sri Lankan stall.  The Embassy staff also assisted in the booth.

The positive changes in the country and the current government’s extensive friendly outreach to the global community, leading towards the development of the country had led to an encouraging outcome in the tourist sector and during last year, tourist arrivals to the country have increased from 1,527, 153 in 2014 to 1,798,380 in 2015.  The increase in tourist arrivals to the country is also reflected in Norwegian inbound visitors to Sri Lanka, with a steady upsurge to 12,007 last year compared to the previous year which amounted to 9,237.  Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka from other Scandinavian countries have also increased during the period.