The Sri Lankan Pavilion at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), was officially opened today, showcasing its vibrant culture, natural beauty, and diverse tourism offerings.
The participation is organized by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and Northern Emirates in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), aiming to further strengthen Sri Lanka’s position in the UAE and wider Middle East travel markets.
The Sri Lanka Pavilion was officially inaugurated with the distinguished presence of the Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who ceremonially lit the traditional oil lamp, marking the official opening of the pavilion.
Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates Alexi Gunasekera, Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Sampath Nissanka, Regional Manager (Middle East) for SriLankan Airlines Jayantha Abeysinghe, senior officials of the SLTPB, and other dignitaries also graced the occasion. Over 70 Sri Lankan travel agents, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and leading hotels have joined the delegation to showcase the country’s unique tourism experiences to an international audience.
Under the new government’s tourism strategy targeting 3 million visitors and US$ 5 billion in revenue by 2025, Sri Lanka is focusing on high-quality, diversified experiences, including wellness tourism. The UAE has been identified as a key priority market in this renewed vision for sustainable tourism growth.
As part of strategic efforts to enhance connectivity and travel convenience, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Emirates Airlines yesterday. This agreement is expected to enhance opportunities for cooperative marketing and strengthen direct air links between the two countries.
Commenting on Sri Lanka’s participation at ATM 2025, Consul General Alexi Gunasekera stated, “To achieve our target of attracting 3 million tourists, Sri Lanka must expand its reach beyond traditional source markets and tap into new and emerging destinations. The Arabian Travel Market offers an ideal platform to connect with a diverse and dynamic audience, opening new avenues for collaboration, partnerships, and growth. By strengthening our presence in regions like the Middle East, we can unlock new opportunities to diversify our tourism base and drive sustainable growth for the sector.”
The Sri Lanka Pavilion at ATM 2025 invites all attendees to experience the spirit of Sri Lanka, a land of timeless heritage, breathtaking scenery, and warm hospitality, and explore new opportunities for tourism partnerships.
Arabian Travel Market, one of the premier global events for the travel and tourism sector, will take place from 28 April to 1 May 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This year’s event, themed “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism through Enhanced Connectivity”, is expected to welcome over 41,000 visitors and more than 2,300 exhibitors from around the world. (Newswire)