Mr. Norbert Fiebig, the president of the Deutscher Reise Verband (DRV) also known as German Travel Association is very optimistic in hosting their next AGM in Sri Lanka with the participation of over 800 of their members.

Welcoming the proposal, minister Amaratunga assured President of DRV that Sri Lanka Tourism with the Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau would provide all required facilities to make this event successful. DRV said that a group of their members will visit Sri Lanka to see venues and other logistic facilities required for their venue.

DRV is a leading tourism association consisting of tour operators, travel agents as well as associated members such as airlines, railways linked to the tourism industry. DRV represents approximately 85% of the total revenue of the German Travel and agency tour operators market. It represents the interest of small, mid- size and large companies in the travel industry. Hosting such an event in Sri Lanka is an ideal opportunity to gain new contacts within the German tourism industry.

Initial discussions started when Sri Lanka Tourism made a representation during ITB to DRV the German Travel Association to hold their AGM in Sri Lanka in 2018. Initial discussion meeting was held with DRV along with Mr Paddy Withana, Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism, Mr. Prema Cooray, Chairman Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau, Mr. Devindre Senarathne, President of Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators Association, (SLAITO), Mr. Harith Perera, vice president of Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators Association (SLAITO), and Ms. Madubhani Perera, Director Marketing of Sri Lanka Tourism.

Mr. Devindre Senarathne made a brief on their intention to invite the DRV to Sri Lanka and Chairman expressed the willingness to support in facilitating over 800 travel agents of DRV including air travel and ground hospitality.  Director /Marketing made a presentation on Sri Lanka Tourism attractions to create awareness among the 25 executive committee members who attended the meeting.

Chairman Paddy Withana was very confident of hosting the event in Sri Lanka in 2016. Sri Lanka hosted the SNAV French conference where over 350 French Travel Agents visited Sri Lanka.