The Moscow International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (MITT) is one of the top five travel exhibitions in the world and the largest one in the sector of tourism in Russia. Sri Lankan companies have been active exponents at this annually held exhibition over the last few years. At the MITT 2019, the Sri Lankan tourism and travel sector was represented by 13 companies: Let's See Asia, Aitken Spence Travels, Delux Holidays, Siddhalepa Ayurveda and Anarva, Andrew the Travel Company, Deluxe Vacations, RIU Hotel and Resorts, Ceylon My Dream, Existing Travel Holidays, Mount Lavinia Hotels and Resorts, Hikkaduwa Beach Hotel, Onyx Sri Lanka, Cinnamon Hotel and Resort.
On March 12, 2019 H. E. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation, accompanied by Madame Sanja Jayatilleka, officially opened the Sri Lankan Stand, organized with the support of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB). The exhibition will be held from the 12th to 14th of March, 2019.
Mrs. Madubhani Perera, Marketing Director of the SLTPB, and Ms. Sasika Jayaweera, Assistant Marking Director of the SLTPB, and Sri Lankan delegates joined H. E. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka and Madame Sanja Jayatilleka in lighting the traditional oil lamp. While giving a welcome speech, H. E. the Ambassador underscored the importance of the development of Sri Lanka's tourism sector, as it is one of the main planks of the cooperation between Sri Lanka and Russia. Ambassador Jayatilleka also encouraged Sri Lankan exponents to contribute to the promotion of Sri Lanka as a top destination among Russian tourists and to establish direct connections with the local market of travel and tourism services.
H. E. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka and Madame Jayatilleka held discussions with Sri Lankan delegates on the trends, currently prevailing in the tourism industry of the country, and further strategies the travel agencies intend to implement to expand their operations into the Russian market.