Brochures on Sri Lanka

OTDYKH Leisure Travel and Tourism Fair is one of the largest travel fairs in Moscow, Russia which draws a large number of visitors on an annual basis. It was held from 10th to 12th September 2019 at Expocentre, for the 25th time, with the participation of more than 20 destinations around the world. As a major travel & tourism fair held in the Russian continent, OTDYKH enables exhibitors to increase awareness of their destination and also to gain a real feel for the Russian travel market.

The attractive Sri Lankan stall

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau attended this year's Leisure 2019 situated in an area of 80 sqms with 12 travel industry participants representing hotels and travel companies. This Sri Lanka stand located in Pavilion number 2, hall number 1 was officially opened by Sri Lanka Embassy in the Russian Federation Counsellor Mohamed Anas on behalf of H. E Dr. Dayan Jayathilaka, Sri Lanka Ambassador for Russia on the 10th of September 2019.

Industry participants

Speaking at the occasion Counsellor Mr. Mohamed Anas stressed the importance of promoting Sri Lanka as a destination for the Russian Market which has a huge potential. He appreciated the interest from the travel trade to promote the Russian market specially in wellness tourism, culture, wildlife and luxury products. Counsellor Mr. Mohamed Anas also welcomed and thanked each company, who has traveled all the way from Sri Lanka and took part in the Leisure 2019.

At the opening ceremony

The Sri Lanka Travel trade was represented by the travel companies such as Aitken Spence Travel, Deluxe Holiday, Nkar Travel & Tours, Tangerine Tours, Ceylon My Dream, Exotic Holidays, Concord Exotic Voyages Company and hotels such as Citrus Leisure, Lanka Super Coral, Cinnamon Hotels, Taj Bentota Resort & Spa and The Long Beach Resort.

Sri Lankan participants

Ms. Sasika Jayaweera , Assistant Director handling Russia and CIS markets represented the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB ) and Ms. Chathurika Perera, Second Secretary of Sri Lanka Embassy in Moscow who supported this travel fair from the Sri Lanka mission in Russia were present at the opening ceremony. The president and few members of the Tourism Safety Association in Russia were also present at the occasion.

Ms. Sasika Jayaweera, Assistant Director SLTPB at a media interview

A round tour table meeting with Media and popular tour operators in Russia was held on the 10th September, with regard to the safety of the Russian travelers in Sri Lanka after the April attack. Ms. Sasika Jayaweera, Assistant Director handling Russia and CIS markets represented SLTPB and Ms. Chathurika Perera, Second Secretary of Sri Lanka Embassy in Moscow represented Sri Lanka at this meeting. All Questions were directly pointed out to the Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau as what actions have been taken by the government of Sri Lanka and the Tourism Promotion Bureau to mitigate the impact after April attack and safety of the Russian Travelers in Sri Lanka.

Experiencing Sri Lankan treats

Ms. Sasika Jayaweera, who represented the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau replied by explaining the steps that has been taken by the government as well as SLTPB. she also mentioned that none of the Russian Traveler got injured or killed unlike the terrorist attacked took place in Turkey 2015 where 90 Russian Travelers were killed. The media which was present at the meeting stressed that even though Sri Lanka has taken some steps to improve the security of a traveler, enough publicity has not been given regarding this information in overseas and this info has not reached to Russian tourists who are interested in flying to Sri Lanka for a vacation. However, after the end of the meeting they thanked Sri Lankan delegation for giving them some useful information which they were not aware of. Having said that, the Russian Tour Operators and online Media have stated that it is very important to publish that information in an online platform where most of the tourists will refer before they select their travel destination.

Exchanging business ideas with foreign counterparts

Sri Lanka won an award for the active participation among the 28 countries who took part in this travel fair at the 25th anniversary edition of OTDYKH Leisure Travel Fair 2019, which held at 18:00 hrs on the 10th September 2019. Ms Chathurika Perera and Ms. Sasika Jayaweera represented Sri Lanka at the above event and received the award during the ceremony.

Visitors at the Sri Lankan stall

Flags representing all nationalities

Visitors at the Sri Lankan stall

The award