Posted on October 1, 2026

Sri Lanka Tourism Strengthens Travel Trade Partnerships Through 2026 B2B Networking Series in Australia and New Zealand

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) successfully concluded a landmark series of B2B Networking Sessions across Australia and New Zealand, held from 31st August to 09th September 2026 in the cities of Christchurch, Auckland, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. Over the course of the nine-day roadshow, Sri Lankan delegates comprising Destination Management Company (DMC) and hoteliers representatives engaged directly with more than 250 travel agents and tour operators from Australia and New Zealand, making the initiative one of the largest and most sustained trade engagement platforms Sri Lanka Tourism has undertaken in these two key source markets.

The five-city program was designed to strengthen business relationships between the Sri Lankan tourism industry and key travel trade stakeholders in both countries, giving representatives a platform to engage directly with agents, tour operators and DMCs while promoting Sri Lanka as a diverse destination. It combined face-to-face B2B discussions, press conferences, media interviews, destination presentations and networking, offering an opportunity to develop new partnerships, itineraries and commercial opportunities.

The roadshow commenced in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 31st August 2026, marking the first time a Sri Lanka Tourism B2B Networking Session was held there a milestone reflecting the growing importance of New Zealand's regional markets to Sri Lanka's tourism strategy. The session featured H.E. Mr. Prasanna Gamage, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to New Zealand, who highlighted the importance of New Zealand travellers to Sri Lanka's tourism sector. Dr. Hamish Campbell, MP for Ilam, encouraged stronger ties between the two industries, while Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, spoke on Sri Lanka's tourism opportunities and new tourism experiences. The event also featured cultural performances, a Q&A session and raffle draws.

The second New Zealand session was held in Auckland on 01st September 2026, bringing Sri Lankan delegates together with a over 50 number of Auckland-based travel agents and tour operators. Sir Anand Satyanand, former Governor-General of New Zealand, attended as Chief Guest, while travel personalities Ms. Karena Bird and Ms. Kasey Bird shared their experiences of travelling in Sri Lanka, and Mr. Scotty Stevenson of TVNZ offered a media perspective. The strong turnout in both cities enabled Sri Lankan stakeholders to engage directly with leading members of the New Zealand tourism trade.

The program then moved to Australia, opening in Sydney on 3rd September, where Australian travel trade representatives and Sri Lankan delegates explored future collaboration, with media interviews and a press conference featuring H.E. Ms. Yasoja Gunasekara, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Australia, the Chairman of SLTPB, and Mr. Ravindran V. of Sri Lankan Airlines. Ms. Luana Soares Ostling shared her experiences in Sri Lanka, while Mr. Hewawasam highlighted the country's tourism potential, including the launch of a new PR and Digital Campaign for the Australian market. Cultural performances, raffle draws and a Q&A session rounded out the event.

The Adelaide session on 07th September 2026 marked another milestone as the first Sri Lanka Tourism B2B Networking programme held in the city, bringing together Australian travel agents, media and social media representatives with Sri Lankan tourism stakeholders. Proceedings opened with the national anthems of Sri Lanka and Australia and the traditional lighting of the oil lamp accompanied by a Magul Bera performance. The session was attended by Mr. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism ,H.E. Ms. Yasoja Gunasekara; Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of SLTPB ,Mr. Dennis Bunnik, Joint CEO of Bunnik Tours and former Chair of CATO, C.L.Gasnawage – Assistant Director Marketing (Australia & New Zelan d ) and Mr. Ravindran V. of Sri Lankan Airlines, who together emphasized air connectivity and deeper cooperation between the two countries' tourism sectors.

The series concluded in Perth on 09th September 2026, giving Australian travel trade representatives a final opportunity to exchange information, discuss business prospects and explore collaboration with Sri Lankan counterparts. Media interviews and a press conference were held with senior representatives from Sri Lanka Tourism, Sri Lankan Airlines, the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Australia and the Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Western Australia. Speakers included Deputy Minister of Tourism , Mr. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Mr.Janitha Kodithuwakku Deputy Minister of Port and Civil Aviation-, H.E. Ms. Yasoja Gunasekara; Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam; and Mr. Ravindran V., who together stressed the importance of strengthening tourism ties, promoting Sri Lanka as a destination and improving air connectivity.

Across the five cities, the programme brought together a wide and diverse range of Sri Lankan and Australian/New Zealand tourism stakeholders. The Sri Lankan delegation comprised 50 representatives drawn from DMCs, hotels and resort groups, each carrying updated product portfolios and seasonal packages tailored for the Australian and New Zealand markets. Over the nine days, these delegates held direct, face-to-face discussions with over 250 travel agents and tour operators across Christchurch, Auckland, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth exchanging information on itineraries, pricing and destination highlights, and giving Australian and New Zealand agents unusually broad access to Sri Lanka's accommodation and destination-management sector within a single, structured programme.

The events combined B2B meetings, destination promotion, media engagement, cultural performances, Q&A sessions and raffle draws for both Sri Lankan and international participants. The involvement of the two High Commissioners alongside government representatives, industry leaders, media and social media personalities, added considerable value, while individuals who had personally experienced Sri Lanka offered authentic perspectives that helped generate greater trade interest. An important feature of the programme was the integration of Sri Lankan culture with tourism promotion traditional dances, Magul Bera and oil-lamp ceremonies, alongside promotional videos of the country's destinations allowing Sri Lankan stakeholders to present the country's identity alongside its tourism products.

The B2B Networking Series served as more than a promotional exercise, creating a platform for long-term relationship building. Through direct meetings, participants discussed itineraries, packages and future cooperation, while the SLTPB describes the sessions as an opportunity to build direct partnerships and supplier relationships. The series concluded in Perth with strong participation and direct exposure to more than 250 Australian and New Zealand travel agents, marking a significant milestone for Sri Lanka Tourism and laying a foundation for continued cooperation with both markets

Sri Lanka Tourism Strengthens Travel Trade Partnerships Through 2026 B2B Networking Series in Australia and New Zealand

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