A delegation consisting of seventeen students from the University of Lincoln, UK, arrived on a short visit to Sri Lanka in order to study the lifestyle of the people of Sri Lanka, culture, heritage and tourism experiences offered by the destination. They also visited the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau on their visit, in order to gain more information for their studies on Sri Lanka as a tourism destination and get further insight for their queries regarding steps being taken in a post pandemic environment to restart/ revive the Tourism industry of Sri Lanka.

The group arrived at a time when the UK government had issued several travel advisories against Sri Lanka, but despite that the group was able to continue with their visit to Sri Lanka under the guidance of their Tour leader, Prof.Martin Knight, who has been to Sri Lanka with student groups on many occasions. He is also the Programme Leader for MSc International Hospitality Management, and Programme Leader MSc Crisis and Disaster Management, of the Lincoln International Business School, University of Lincoln, plus being a Barrister at Law of both England and Wales, and an Attorney –At Law of the New York Bar.  

A friendly conversation with the delegation

As a regular visitor to the country, Prof Knight has initiated the idea of bringing a student group to Sri Lanka to share his experience along with students and to give them knowledge and insight of Sri Lanka as one of the best Tourism destinations in the world. 

The group was warmly welcomed by the Tourism Bureau officials including chairman, Chalaka Gajabahu , Padma Siriwardene , Managing Director , and Dushan Wickramasuriya , Director Marketing , Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. The chairman gave a brief but a very descriptive introduction about the Sri Lankan culture, lifestyle, delicious cuisine and its inhabitants, while giving them an idea of the experiences and what they might expect during their stay in Sri Lanka. He also urged the students to spread a positive message on Sri Lanka on their return home, and encourage more travelers to Sri Lanka which will definitely be a boost for Sri Lanka Tourism.Afterwards a very productive country presentation was done by Dushan Wickramasuriya , Director Marketing SLTPB which was followed by a Q&A session. All the logistical arrangement for the tour was provided by Airwing Tours.

Part of the audience

The University of Lincoln, UK, is rated among the UK's top 20 universities for student satisfaction in the Guardian University Guide 2022 and the Complete University Guide 2022 and in the top 30 UK universities overall in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2020. They hold a top five-star rating in the QS Stars ratings system of global universities and are placed among the world's top 150 young universities in The Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2021.

Encouraging student groups as these will bring more promotional success and a more positive message about Sri Lanka, and make it once again become the number one destination in the world for Tourism.

Chairman SLTPB , Chalaka Gajabahu  addressing the gathering

MD, SLTPB  Padma Siriwardene ,  Prof .Martin Knight and   Prof. Georgiana Els

Director Marketing,   Dushan Wickramasuriya doing the country presentation

Managing Director SLTPB. Padma Siriwardene, handing over a souvenir to Prof. Martin Knight