With 36 Sri Lankan tourism companies on board, the Sri Lanka Pavilion became one of the liveliest stops at France’s premier travel trade fair. 

Among 177 destinations competing for the attention of more than 32,000 travel professionals, standing out at IFTM Top Resa takes more than a well-designed stand. Sri Lanka brought the island’s flavour, rhythm and warmth to Paris, and the trade took notice. 

The Sri Lanka Pavilion was officially opened by H.E. Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to France, joined by representatives of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), SriLankan Airlines and leading figures from the island’s tourism industry. Behind them stood 36 prominent Sri Lankan tourism companies, ready to do business with the French market. 

The delegation’s message to French buyers was simple: Sri Lanka offers far more than one kind of holiday. Cultural heritage, natural beauty and the healing traditions of Ayurveda were all on the table, alongside a wide range of unique experiences designed to appeal to the curious, discerning French traveller. 

The partnership between the SLTPB and the private sector was on full display, a clear sign of Sri Lanka’s commitment to growing its presence in France, one of Europe’s most important outbound markets. 

Visitors who stopped by were greeted with a cup of Ceylon Tea, a fitting introduction to the island and a timely showcase for one of its most celebrated exports in the French market. Throughout the three days, traditional Sri Lankan dance performances turned the pavilion into a cultural hotspot, pulling in steady crowds and giving buyers a taste of the experiences waiting for their clients on the island. 

IFTM Top Resa is one of France’s leading international tourism trade fairs, and the 2026 edition delivered serious scale: 32,022 tourism professionals, 1,650 brands, 177 destinations and 16,725 business meetings facilitated over three days. For Sri Lanka’s exhibitors, that meant direct access to the agents, operators and buyers who shape where French travellers go next. 

IFTM Paris is one piece of a wider strategy. Through digital marketing, international trade events, public relations and consumer promotions, Sri Lanka Tourism continues to strengthen its foothold in key international markets, with a clear goal: to make the island a destination travellers simply cannot miss.