PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Sri Lanka, informed that the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) would host the Sri Lanka Tourism Networking Evening – Delhi on February 23 at Janakpuri.
The exclusive networking event aims to strengthen tourism and trade partnerships between Sri Lanka and India, with a special focus on the North Indian travel trade market.
India: Sri Lanka’s Leading Source Market
India continues to remain Sri Lanka’s most important tourism source market.
• 2.36 million international tourist arrivals recorded in 2025
• Over 531,000 Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2025
• India contributed approximately 27 percent of total arrivals
• Sri Lanka targets 3 million international arrivals in 2026
Strong demand from Indian travellers has been supported by enhanced air connectivity between Colombo and major Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, operated by SriLankan Airlines and leading Indian carriers.
With a short flight duration of approximately 3.5 hours from Delhi and streamlined visa facilitation measures, Sri Lanka continues to position itself as a convenient and attractive short-haul international destination.
Purpose of the Delhi Networking Evening
The upcoming event in Delhi will bring together:
• Leading tour operators and travel agents
• MICE planners and corporate travel buyers
• Wedding planners and luxury travel specialists
• Airline partners
• Travel trade media
The evening will provide a strategic platform for:
• Strengthening B2B partnerships
• Destination updates and market insights
• Expanding leisure, wedding and experiential travel segments
• Encouraging year-round travel to Sri Lanka
Senior officials from SLTPB and SriLankan Airlines are expected to address the gathering, highlighting new developments, promotional initiatives and collaborative opportunities in 2026.
Showcasing Sri Lanka’s Diverse Tourism Offerings
Sri Lanka continues to attract Indian travellers across multiple segments:
• Leisure & Beaches – Bentota, Mirissa, Trincomalee
• Cultural & Heritage – Sigiriya, Kandy, Anuradhapura
• Wildlife & Adventure – Yala, Udawalawe
• Destination Weddings & Luxury Travel
The Delhi event forms part of SLTPB’s broader India engagement strategy, aimed at deepening industry collaboration and strengthening long-term tourism growth between the two nations.
