Tourism News

Sri Lanka Tourism Showcases Its Potential as a Top Travel Destination at Roadshows in Australia and New Zealand

( Posted on November 4, 2025 )

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) recently demonstrated the island nation’s tourism potential through a series of successful roadshows in Australia and New Zealand, highlighting Sri Lanka as a premier travel destination for international travelers.

The promotional tour commenced on 13th October in Sydney, Australia, with the presence of Her Excellency Ms. Yasoja Gunasekara, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia, Mr. Buddhikka Hewawasam, Chairman of SLTPB, and Mr. Ravindran V., Regional Manager – Asia Pacific Region, Sri Lankan Airlines Ltd. Fifty Sri Lankan companies participated alongside seventy-five Australian travel operators and media representatives. The event provided an invaluable platform for knowledge exchange, business discussions, and potential collaborations between Sri Lankan and Australian tourism stakeholders.

On 15th October, the roadshow continued in Brisbane at Hotel Sofitel, attracting over 52 Australian travel trade companies and 15 media representatives and influencers. Her Excellency Ms. Gunasekara delivered the opening remarks, followed by a keynote from Mr. Hewawasam outlining Sri Lanka’s renewed global tourism positioning. Mr. Ravindran V. highlighted airline connectivity, reinforcing the ease of travel between the two nations. Adding cultural vibrancy to the event, a traditional Sri Lankan dance performance captivated attendee

The final leg of Sri Lanka Tourism’s promotional roadshow in Australia was successfully held on 20th October at the Hotel Chadstone in Melbourne, marking a significant milestone in strengthening tourism ties between the two nations.

The event attracted 83 Australian travel agents and 15 media representatives, showcasing Sri Lanka’s growing appeal as a preferred travel destination in the region. The program commenced with a series of B2B meetings, providing an excellent platform for networking and fostering valuable business partnerships between Sri Lankan Destination Management Companies (DMCs), hoteliers, and Australian travel trade partners.

The formal session featured ceremonial addresses by Her Excellency Ms. Yasoja Gunasekara, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia, Mr. Budhika Hewawasm, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau,and Ms. Predeepa Seram, Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Melbourne. Their speeches highlighted the island’s rich and diverse tourism offerings from pristine beaches and heritage sites to wildlife and wellness tourism while underscoring the strategic importance of collaboration with the Australian travel industry.

In addition, Mr. Ranvidran addressed the gathering, focusing on the importance of enhancing direct air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Australia to facilitate greater travel convenience and tourism growth.

The Melbourne roadshow concluded the successful Australian series, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s position as one of the most promising and attractive travel destinations for Australian travelers.

Marking a historic milestone, Sri Lanka Tourism extended its global promotional campaign to New Zealand for the very first time, hosting a successful roadshow at Hotel Cordis in Auckland on 22nd October. The event aimed to strengthen tourism ties between the two island nations and showcase Sri Lanka’s diverse travel offerings to the New Zealand market.

The evening commenced with opening remarks by Mr. Prasanna Gamage, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, who emphasized the strong cultural connections and the growing potential for tourism collaboration between the two countries.

Mr. Hewawasam highlighted the strategic importance of the New Zealand market for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, noting the country’s increasing appeal among adventure seekers and long-haul travelers. Mr. Ravindran V. further elaborated on airline connectivity between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, underscoring future possibilities for direct and connecting routes to enhance accessibility.

The event was graced by several distinguished guests, including Ms. Vanushi Walters, MP, a Sri Lankan New Zealander; Sir Graham Henry, the world-renowned coach of the All Blacks and Black Ferns; Ms. Vanessa Traille, Senior Stakeholder Manager at Auckland Airport; Mr. Richard Pollock, Chief Policy Advisor at NZ Māori Tourism; and Mr. Scotty Stevenson, a celebrated sports commentator and media personality.

The roadshow featured B2B meetings, networking sessions, and cultural highlights that offered a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s unique blend of heritage, wellness, wildlife, and hospitality. With enthusiastic participation from New Zealand’s travel trade and media, the event successfully positioned Sri Lanka as a must-visit destination in South Asia, paving the way for stronger tourism partnerships in the region.

Adding vibrancy to the roadshow series, Sri Lankan travel trade participants extended over 100 attractive prizes, including six-night, seven-day tour packages, to the attending agents . Demonstrating strong support for the initiative, Sri Lankan Airlines further contributed one complimentary air tickets at each event, strengthening the connection between the two destinations.

A lively Q&A session followed the video presentations, reflecting the high level of enthusiasm and genuine interest among attendees in exploring new business and tourism opportunities in Sri Lanka. The events were further enlivened by captivating cultural performances that showcased the island’s rich heritage, while an engaging raffle draw added an element of excitement and participation.

The combination of business networking, cultural immersion, and rewarding engagement left a lasting impression on all participants, further positioning Sri Lanka as an inspiring and desirable travel destination.

Overall, these roadshows underscored Sri Lanka’s strong potential to attract tourists, strengthen international partnerships, and position itself as a highly desirable travel destination in the Australian and New Zealand markets. The events clearly reflected the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’s commitment to promoting sustainable tourism development and its proactive approach in engaging with global travel trade partners to enhance Sri Lanka’s visibility and appeal worldwide.