Sri Lanka Tourism held a roadshow in Kochi on October 28 to promote tourism and strengthen ties with India’s travel industry
KOCHI: Sri Lanka Tourism organised a business networking event in Kochi to build ties with India’s travel industry. The event also aimed to promote Sri Lanka as a holiday destination. The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) hosted the Sri Lanka Tourism B2B Roadshow and Networking Evening – Kerala Series 2026 at Ramada by Wyndham, Kochi.
The event brought together Sri Lankan tourism representatives, Indian travel agents, tour operators, industry associations and media professionals. Participants discussed business partnerships and destination promotion. They also explored ways to strengthen tourism cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
B2B Meetings Connect Travel Businesses
The roadshow created a platform for Indian travel agents and tour operators to meet Sri Lankan tourism representatives directly. The discussions focused on exchanging market insights, exploring travel itineraries and identifying opportunities to promote Sri Lanka to Indian holidaymakers.
A separate media networking session connected tourism representatives with journalists and other media professionals. The session aimed to increase awareness of Sri Lanka’s travel offerings among Indian audiences.
Tourism Officials Highlight Cooperation
The programme began with the national anthems of India and Sri Lanka, followed by the traditional lighting of the oil lamp and a token of appreciation ceremony.
Heshani Kaushalya, First Secretary (Commerce) at the Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai, delivered the welcome address. Sanjaya Niroshana, Managing Director of SLTPB, highlighted Sri Lanka’s tourism offerings and stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships with India’s travel trade.
Representatives from Kerala’s tourism industry also addressed the gathering. They included Paulose K. Mathew of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Kerala Chapter; K. N. Shastry, former Chairman of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Kerala; and Johnson Manish, Secretary of the Tourism Professionals Club (TPC), Kerala..
SriLankan Airlines Highlights Connectivity
Air connectivity featured in the programme, with Arfaz Nuwaiz, Manager at SriLankan Airlines, delivering an airline presentation accompanied by a promotional video.
SLTPB also screened a destination video showcasing Sri Lanka’s landscapes, cultural attractions and tourism experiences. The presentations highlighted the role of travel connections and destination awareness in attracting visitors from India.
Sri Lanka Promotes Diverse Holiday Experiences
Sri Lanka offers a range of experiences, including coastal holidays, wildlife tourism, heritage sites, Ayurveda and wellness retreats, adventure activities, luxury stays, family vacations, honeymoons and spiritual journeys.
Cultural performances added to the evening’s programme and introduced attendees to Sri Lankan artistic traditions. The formal proceedings ended with a vote of thanks by Shirani Herath, Assistant Director of SLTPB. A group photograph, raffle draw and networking dinner followed.
Roadshow Supports Wider India Outreach
The Kochi event is part of SLTPB’s efforts to strengthen ties with regional travel businesses, industry associations and the Indian media.
By bringing Sri Lankan tourism providers and Indian travel professionals together, the Kerala Series 2026 aims to promote business partnerships, raise awareness of Sri Lanka as a travel destination and create new opportunities for tourism between the two countries.
