Sri Lanka Tourism received international recognition at the 6th Let’s Travel International Tourism Forum (ITF) 2026 held in Moscow, Russia, from June 10-14, securing the Let’s Travel First-Degree Laureate Award among 12 international participants.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe led the Sri Lankan delegation, which also included Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Deputy Managing Director Chamila Jayarathna and Assistant Director of Marketing Sasika Jayaweera. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Russia, Shobini Gunasekera, and First Secretary (Commercial) Sanjeewa Bandara also participated.
The forum, regarded as one of Russia’s leading tourism events, attracted more than 511,000 visitors, 180 country and regional stands, and 574 organisations.
During the event, Deputy Minister Ranasinghe held discussions with Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dmitry Vakhrukov and regional officials on enhancing tourism cooperation, destination promotion, familiarisation tours and improved air connectivity between the two countries.
Sri Lanka’s pavilion attracted significant visitor interest with cultural performances, Ceylon tea experiences and promotional displays highlighting the country’s beaches, wildlife, wellness and adventure tourism offerings.
The delegation also participated in business-to-business meetings with tour operators from several Russian regions, aimed at expanding tourism promotion beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg and increasing tourist arrivals from Russia. (Newswire)