On July 20, 2017, the Embassy conducted the first information seminar on tourism opportunities in Sri Lanka, in partnership with one of Russia's leading tour operators, CORAL TRAVEL.
The seminar gathered nearly 50 travel agents as well as reporters of major Russian news agencies (INTERFAX, Russia Today) and e-media of two country-wise tourism business associations, ATOR (Association of Tour Operators of Russia) and RST/RATA (Russian Union of Travel Industry).
In their welcome addresses to tourism professionals, the Embassy representatives noted the positive trends reflected in Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority statistics, such as a 16.4% increase of Russian tourist arrivals in the fall/winter season of 2016-2017 compared to the preceding year figures. Russia is among Top 10 source countries of international tourism to Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau firmly intends to increase the Russian tourist numbers to 70,000 in the next season, from over 58,000 recorded in 2016.
Sri Lanka Government focuses on the renewal of local roads, building of new hotels and overall development of tourism infrastructure, including in the north-east of the country. On its part, Mr. Ilya Derin, Head of Exotic Destinations Department of CORAL TRAVEL elaborated on the notable increase of CORAL clients' interest towards South-East Asia countries, particularly in Sri Lanka, since 2010.
CORAL TRAVEL is one of two Russian travel companies operating direct charter flights to Sri Lanka: on 2016-17 winter season, CORAL's air carrier, ROYAL AIR, took over 3,000 tourists to Sri Lanka, and over 5,000 in total, including those who travelled by regular flights.
In addition, travel agents welcomed the detailed presentation made by Ms. Yulia Gerasimova, Head of Sri Lanka Destination of CORAL, on travel organization and growing numbers of opportunities in our country.
The joint seminar on July 20 was first in the series of joint promotional events hosted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka with the support of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in advance of the fall/winter 2017-2018 tourism season.
