Sri Lanka Tourism promotes the "Wonder of Asia" at the New York Times Travel Show

Sri Lanka Tourism and SriLankan Airlines took part at the North America's premier travel event "The New York Times Travel Show" held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre in New York City from February 25-27, 2011.


The 2011 show attracted over 16,000 travel professionals and enthusiasts as well as over 600 exhibitors representing over150 countries. This year the event is expected to draw over 40,000 highly coveted consumers and 7,000 trade professionals. Sri Lanka Tourism and SriLankan Airlines have consecutively participated at this show since its inauguration.
The Sri Lanka Tourism booth was officially opened on Friday, Feb 25 by Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka`s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dr. Palitha Kohona and Head of SriLankan Airlines in North America and Honorary Director for Sri Lanka Tourism in the US Dillan Ariyawansa. Also present was the PATA Chairman Hiran Cooray along with other distinguished guests.


Sri Lanka's participation at the show included cultural presentations. The world renowned Sri Lankan Dance troupe,"Channa-Upuli," flown in courtesy SriLankan Airlines performed on Saturday and Sunday on the Asia Stage which is one of six cultural stages at the show featuring live performances and culinary presentations from around the world.
The highly rated American News Channel (NY 1) featured a live performance "Making of the Lion dance" by the Channa-Upuli Dance Troupe.
Three Tour Operators from Sri Lanka, D.K.R. Dharmapala of Lanka Sportreizen, Rajitha Rajapakse from Walkers Tours Limited and Ms. Shiromal Cooray of the Jetwing Group took part in the show.
Travel to Sri Lanka has increased dramatically in the past year, up 50 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. The increase is credited to the successful conclusion of Sri Lanka's conflict against terrorism in May 2009, and a series of favorable travel articles praising Sri Lanka as a premiere destination. Publications giving Sri Lanka top travel rankings include The New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, and the websites Daily Candy and Lonely Planet.
While about 650,000 tourists arrived in 2010 (compared to less than 500,000 in 2009), Sri Lanka's Tourism Development Authority predicts 2.5 million visitors by 2016.