Sri Lanka Tourism once again showed its full potential and capacity to attract visitors not only by promoting the destination as a tourist attraction, but also for its vibrancy and creativity, by bagging the award for the ‘’Best Booth Design’’ at the 39th Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF), held in South Korea recently. This major international travel event was held from 09th to 12th May 2024, where 70 countries promoted their tourism resources and cultures.  The Sri Lanka stand created a major sensation among the participants with its beautifully designed structure, themes, Tourism products and items. The SITF is the only International Travel Fair in Korea where official tourism organizations at home and abroad sponsor and participate. The SITF is widely recognized as one of the most major travel fairs held annually in South Korea. 

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) participated this time along with the country’s leading travel and Industry stakeholders under different categories. The official opening ceremony of the Sri Lanka stand was held under the patronage of H.E Savithri Indrachapa Panabokke , Sri  Lankan Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, amidst the presence of Mr. Chinthaka Liyanaarachchi, Assistant Director,  SLTPB. High profile Travel and Industry stakeholders participated at the SITF, where they shared the latest travel options and locations to visit in Sri Lanka. The visitors were impressed with the beautifully designed Sri Lanka Stand which stood out from the rest and were keen to gain information about the latest travel and holiday opportunities and experiences from the Sri Lankan representatives. The participants also had the chance of having a sip of the finest Ceylon Tea, which they thoroughly enjoyed. 

For more than 39 years, SITF South Korea has promoted meetings between decision makers, Industry experts and carefully selected and profiled buyers from Geographic areas with the highest rate of economic growth and from all sectors of the chain. It is the largest and the most well recognized travel fair in Korea, which is also an event that is also formative with major meeting conferences, seminars and B2B meetings on the latest Industry trends. 

The South Korean Market plays a crucial role in enabling tourists to Sri Lanka as it generates a considerable amount of tourists each year to the destination. The similar Cultural and religious backgrounds and the myriad of travel locations are the most highlighted segments in which the Korean travelers show high interest. A total number of 4,005 arrivals from South Korea was recorded   from January to April 2024, which has shown a gradual increase compared with the same period in 2023.