-  China outbound sour to 156 million Travelers

-  China Market worth $15 billion

-  Top source market Beijing

Sri Lanka Tourism took the high ground in the key source market of China - Beijing, winning the top award of 'Best Tourism Pavilion' among two hundred stalls with entrenched competition of 58 countries eyeing the 156 million traveller outbound market of China which is worth 15 billion dollars.

The Sri Lanka Tourism team with the coveted Award in Beijing, China.

Sri Lanka targeting 225,000 Travelers this year is currently registering a growth of 79% with the private sector on high gear with the Sri Lankan contingent numbering one hundred from 46 companies taking part at the 2015 edition of Beijing International Travel Fair staged at the China National Conference Centre in the vicinity of the iconic Birds Nest Olympic Stadium and The Cube of Olympic fame.

At the Press interview with Beijing TV and Beijing Press, Chairman Rohantha Athukorala on behalf of Sri Lanka Tourism thanked the Government of China for the friendship and strong tourism partnership extended and committed Sri Lanka's presence in the Silk route 52 cities tourism development partnership that will stage the China Xi'an Silk Road International Tourism Expo 2015 to be staged in September this year.  Asked by a Beijing Daily how Sri Lanka must be remembered by the people of China " Sri Lanka - One Island, Thousand Treasures" he said which was welcomed by an applause from the participants of the awards ceremony. 

Commenting on the 2015 award for Sri Lanka, Chairman Athukorala said Sri Lanka will further strengthen 240 million rupee communication budget that we will invest in the focussed market China with the "Push Strategy" including the launch of the " Sri Lankan specialist" training and validation programme across the top twenty thousand travel agents across China which will be endorsed by a top celebrity from China. On the " Pull Strategy" by being on WECHAT, Beijing TV and Movie based marketing Sri Lanka tourism will create a new trend of creating brand equity in the potential Travelers mind” he voiced.