The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) in collaboration with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Philippines, organized a familiarization tour for nine (9) Filipino Tour Operator/Agents, from 29 March to 06 April 2023, to increase awareness of Sri Lanka as a new travel destination and to establish linkages between Sri Lankan travel agents and Philippine travel agents.
During the eight-day tour, the participants explored various tourist attractions in Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Yala, Bentota, and Colombo. This initiative helped to showcase Sri Lanka’s diverse offerings including luxurious resorts, beautiful beaches, wildlife, ancient heritage sites and world-renowned cuisine.
The highlights of the tour included a trip to the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress and a visit to the Sri Dalada Maligawa – the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha – in Kandy. Both the Ancient City of Anuradhapura and the Sacred City of Kandy are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The participants also visited the Ampitiya Church. They were also entertained by a Udarata Cultural Show in the evening.
In addition to experiential activities, a networking session was organized between Sri Lanka travel agents and the Philippine tour agents 04 April 2023 with the aim of establishing Sri Lanka’s presence in the Philippines as a preferred travel destination and promoting partnership and linkages. The session was followed by a dinner reception.
Key travel agents from the Philippines namely Goldlink Travel and Tours, Amazing Discoveries Travel and Tours, Gladex Travel Services, Travelite Travel & Tours Co., Gmach Travel Services, Traevents Co., Sarah Lea Travel and Tours, Richworld Travel and Tours, and Manawari Travel Inc. participated in the familiarization tour.
