Sri Lanka's Travel Mart gearing up for record performance:

Sri Lanka Gateway to South Asia Travel Mart 2006

MEGA TRAVEL MART: The "Sri Lanka - Gateway to South Asia" Travel Mart is scheduled to be held from 16th to 18th June 2006 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike International Exhibition Centre in Colombo.

Both buyers and international and local exhibitors are registering to participate at this mega travel mart which is being held for the 4th consecutive year, and fast growing to be the region's best travel event.

"The date on which registrations close has been extended to 30th April 2006 in order to allow maximum participation in both sectors," said Malraj B. Kiriella, Director Marketing at the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.

"Sri Lanka is now established as the Gateway to South Asia, and known worldwide as a destination that within itself offers visitors a range of attractions so diverse, that it would be difficult to compare it to any other in the world," says Kiriella.

The Mart last year received a record number of visitors, and contributed much towards the development of tourism in this region by showcasing Sri Lanka's diverse attractions.

It proved that besides traditional markets such as the U.K., France and Germany, many new markets are increasingly showing a keen interest in the region.

The aim of the Travel Mart is to attract new buyers to visit Sri Lanka while consolidating connections with existing buyers. To achieve this, the Mart provides these buyers and operators with an encapsulated version of the diverse attractions Sri Lanka has to offer visitors.

Pre and post Mart tours have been planned to give them first hand experience of these attractions.

The theme of this year's Travel Mart is Peace, Eternity, Prosperity, Purity and Knowledge - all attributes of the traditional "Sesatha" which has been selected as the Icon this year.

The Sesatha is a ceremonial flag dating back to the period when the first Bo-sapling was brought to Sri Lanka, developing over the centuries into a ceremonial flag used at royal and religious functions.

Interested organisations or persons could register on-line on or before 30th April 2006.

Registration forms are available on the Web: www.slgsatravelmart.com and information regarding the travel mart could be obtained by [email protected]