Fifty-four Sri Lankan companies participated in the 26th edition of India’s biggest travel and trade show ‘South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange’ (SATTE) at the India Expo Centre in Greater Noida, Delhi last week.
The three-day event had record participation by travel and tourism markets from across the world. Over 1,000 exhibitors consisting of representatives from 50 countries and 90 cities from India made it one of the most successful shows in recent times.
The expo was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Culture, of India, Dr. Mahesh Sharma along with Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Affairs, John Amaratunga.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, Tuan Muhammad Bakhtiar bin Wan Chik, Deputy Minister of Tourism Marketing, Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, Nia Niscaya, Head of Regional Department for Asia and the Pacific, UNWTO, Eunji Tae, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Austin Fernando and Member, National Tourism Advisory Committee of India, Subhash Goyal also participated.
Minister Amaratunga highlighted the growing importance of the Indian tourism market for Sri Lanka at the inauguration and noted that there was great potential for rapid growth.
“We are far from realising the full potential of the Indian outbound market in terms of longer staying and higher spending visitors. Our goal is to make Sri Lanka the most preferred destination for Indian tourists.
“Sri Lanka is a popular destination for Indian corporate events, weddings, exhibitions, seminars, workshops and concerts. Due to geographical location, air connectivity and cheap airfares, India is in a position to take advantage of the vast tourism offerings that Sri Lanka has to offer,” he said.
The expo enabled professionals to congregate and conduct business, arrive at solution-driven innovations to counteract economic uncertainties and promote inbound, outbound and domestic tourism in India.
Minister Amaratunga also participated in the third edition of SATTE Awards on day two of the expo, to recognise excellence, triumphs and innovations of key stakeholders.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Pavilion at SATTE was opened by Minister Amaratunga.
Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in New Delhi, Austin Fernando and Senior Advisor to the Minister, Felix Rodrigo were also present.