February 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has once again showcased its status as a premier travel destination at the prestigious Pakistan Travel Mart (PTM) 2025, held recently in Karachi.
The event highlighted the island nation’s rich offerings in hospitality, culture, and adventure tourism, with a strong focus on fostering closer tourism ties between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The Sri Lankan Consulate in Karachi played a key role in facilitating the participation of SriLankan Airlines, along with two of Sri Lanka’s leading travel agencies.
Their presence underscored the country’s commitment to expanding its tourism sector and enhancing its connectivity with Pakistan.
Notable attendees at the event included Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Pakistan, Christy Augustin; Consul General of Sri Lanka in Karachi, Jagath Abeywarna; Country Manager for SriLankan Airlines in Pakistan, Ruwan Wijekoon; and representatives from top Sri Lankan travel companies. Their participation demonstrated Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to build and strengthen tourism relationships with Pakistan.
During the event, Acting High Commissioner Christy Augustin took part in an insightful panel discussion titled “Beyond the Logo – Crafting Emotional Connections in Destination Marketing.”
In this forum, Augustin eloquently highlighted Sri Lanka’s diverse offerings, from its pristine beaches to its rich cultural heritage and vibrant wildlife.
He also spoke of the island’s unique appeal, encouraging travellers to not only visit but to form emotional bonds with Sri Lanka as a destination.
The Pakistan Travel Mart, known as one of the leading travel and tourism exhibitions in the region, brought together a vast array of industry professionals, tour operators, and stakeholders from across the globe.
The event proved to be an ideal platform for Sri Lanka to attract potential tourists and promote its tourism products.
The Sri Lankan pavilion at the event drew considerable attention, with visitors keen to learn more about the island’s diverse offerings.
Whether it was the island’s luxurious hospitality, scenic landscapes, or the range of adventure tourism options, Sri Lanka’s presentation was met with enthusiasm.
Many attendees expressed interest in the various cultural and eco-tourism experiences available, demonstrating the island’s wide appeal to a diverse audience.
Furthermore, the participation of SriLankan Airlines provided an important opportunity to emphasise the ease of travel between the two countries.
SriLankan Airlines’ presence in the event highlighted the airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and offering convenient travel options for Pakistani tourists, reinforcing the close ties between the two nations.
As Sri Lanka’s tourism sector looks forward to continued growth, experts believe that its participation in PTM 2025 will generate long-term benefits.
These include increased tourist arrivals from Pakistan and the establishment of stronger partnerships within the travel and hospitality industries in both countries.
The Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism expressed optimism that the continued engagement with the Pakistani market would yield positive results, both in terms of tourism growth and bilateral cooperation.
