Sri Lanka Tourism’s Travel Influencer Facilitation Program (also known as Visiting Blogger Program) has undertaken creative influencer promotional campaigns by covering diversified tourism experiences around the island, including various regional territories for the year 2022 subsequently.  Over the first one and half months (up to 10^th March 2022), the Visiting Blogger Program (VBP) collaborated with some of the multi-award-winning international travel influencers from around the world to popularize the reopening of destination Sri Lanka for international tourists. 

One of the main purposes of hosting these earned media promotions was to define Sri Lanka as an ‘’Unforgettable Holiday Maker’ which has opened for international tourism and the local tourism industry’s focus towards sustainable tourism development, by sharing tourism-related economic opportunities among the local community stakeholders, to make their lives better by preserving the unique natural and cultural values. 

Female Travel Influences Meeting Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Ms. Dhammika Wijesinghe celebrating the World’s Women’s Day

Furthermore, influencers those who have visited the destination have increased global awareness about Sri Lanka as a ‘’Safe to Travel Holiday Destination’’, during the pandemic period by highlighting the unique Sri Lankan hospitality and the visitor friendly ‘’Safe and Secure Measurements’’ set up by the government.

The overall influencer promotions specifically highlighted areas such as Anuradhapura, Matale, Knuckle’s Mountain Range, Gal Oya, Kumana, Pottuvil, Passikudah, Southern and Eastern Coastal belts. Fifteen (15) internationally recognized travel influencers representing nine (09) sourcing markets including the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Belgium, USA, and Spain were invited during February and early March. The total combined reach of these influencers is 5,291,333 and they are expected to create over 276 online posts about Sri Lanka covering mainstream social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, etc. Through these versatile earned media collaborations, Sri Lanka Tourism is expected to create massive global attention towards Sri Lanka over the upcoming months in 2022.

The Island nation has also got positive feedback who participated in the Media Familiarization Tour and they seem to be overjoyed with their experience. 

Multi-Award Winning British Travel Blogger, Bella Falk (blog: www.passportandpixcel.com ) who took part in Media Familiarization Trip with Sri Lanka Tourism stated that; 

“I was lucky enough to travel around Sri Lanka, experiencing some of the incredible places this country has to offer including gorgeous sceneries, ancient historical sites, amazing food, and some lovely hotels. What I like about is the sustainable focus of some of the hotels. That encourages us as travelers to visit Sri Lanka’. I just found Sri Lanka is so welcoming and beautiful as well. If you thinking about coming, I would recommend...” 

Hurulu Eco Safaripark - Habarana

Award-Winning Spanish Travel Instagramer, David Rocaberti stated that (  instagram.com/davidrocaberti/ )

“Be ready to rock, you never know what comes next. I must confess I didn’t see this one coming. The sky didn’t look promising at all, but I decided somehow to take my tripod and a set of filters with me. Boy, oh boy, I’m so lucky I did. Thanks, @destination_srilanka for making it possible”