Sri Lanka Brings More Than Sun and Sand to Paris
Sri Lanka made a strong impression at this year’s International French Travel Market (IFTM) Top Resa in Paris, showing French travellers that the island has far more to offer than sun and sand.
Alongside 36 prominent Sri Lankan tourism companies, the Sri Lanka Pavilion presented the country’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, Ayurveda and a wide range of distinctive tourism experiences.
The pavilion was officially inaugurated by H.E. Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to France, together with representatives of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, SriLankan Airlines and leading members of the tourism industry.
The event also highlighted the close cooperation between Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities and the private sector as the country continues efforts to strengthen its presence in the French travel market.
IFTM Top Resa is one of France’s leading international tourism trade fairs. Its 2026 edition brought together 32,022 tourism professionals, 1,650 brands and 177 destinations, while 16,725 business meetings were held during the three-day event.
Sri Lanka attracted considerable attention from both trade professionals and visitors throughout the event. At the pavilion, Ceylon Tea was served to visitors, giving the country another opportunity to showcase one of its best-known products in the French market.
Traditional Sri Lankan dance performances also became a major attraction, drawing large numbers of visitors to the pavilion and adding colour and movement to the country’s presence at the fair.
With international tourism events supported by digital marketing, public relations and consumer promotions, Sri Lanka is continuing to build its visibility in important overseas markets — while presenting the island as a destination with much more to discover beyond its famous beaches.
