Sri Lanka & dnata Travel team up to attract GCC tourists

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

Dubai: dnata Travel, a popular travel company in Dubai, has teamed up with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to help more people from the Gulf region, especially the UAE, visit Sri Lanka.

This new partnership was announced at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai. According to the SLTDA, the number of tourists from the UAE visiting Sri Lanka increased by 28% in the first three months of 2025, compared to the same time last year.

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dnata Travel also shared that more people from the UAE are now choosing Sri Lanka for their holidays. In both the summer and winter seasons of last year, Sri Lanka became one of the top international destinations booked by UAE travellers. This shows that interest in Sri Lanka is growing, especially during school holidays and long weekends.

Why Sri Lanka is Becoming Popular

Many travellers from the Gulf countries are now looking for luxury holidays and short trips. Sri Lanka offers a mix of beautiful nature, culture, adventure, and wellness—all just a short flight away (around 4 hours).

Through this partnership, dnata Travel and SLTDA will work together to promote special travel packages, exciting experiences, and destination promotions designed especially for travellers from the Gulf.

Meerah Ketait, who leads the retail and leisure division at dnata Travel, said:
“In the past year, Sri Lanka has become very popular for holidays. We’ve seen a big rise in bookings from the UAE, especially for quick trips during school breaks and holidays. People are looking for meaningful experiences, and Sri Lanka has everything—from adventure to comfort.”

She also added, “With this partnership, we will help people discover hidden gems in Sri Lanka, like boutique beach resorts, wellness retreats, light adventure trips, and hill country tours.”

New Campaign to Promote Sri Lanka

dnata Travel will start a special marketing campaign to promote Sri Lanka. They are working with Aitken Spence Travels, a leading travel company in Sri Lanka. The campaign will run across the UAE and the Gulf region to attract more visitors and boost bookings.

The campaign will focus on different themes:

• Luxury and Wellness: Special villas, wellness resorts, and Ayurveda healing centers for those looking to relax and refresh.

• Cooler Weather: Hill areas like Nuwara Eliya and Ella offer cool climates and scenic views, which are perfect during the Gulf’s hot summer.

• Adventure and Nature: Activities like leopard safaris in Yala and whale watching in Mirissa are great for nature lovers.

• Culture and Food: Visitors can enjoy Sri Lanka’s temples, historical places, and delicious local dishes.

• Romantic Holidays: Quiet beach resorts and forest lodges are ideal for couples and honeymooners.

A Strong Focus on the Gulf Region

This partnership supports Sri Lanka’s plan to welcome more travellers from the Gulf. The UAE is a key market, especially for people looking to stay longer and explore more.

At ATM 2025, more than 70 Sri Lankan tourism companies took part—showing hotels, travel packages, and unique experiences to attract Gulf visitors.

Sampath Nissanka, Managing Director of SLTDA, said, “The Middle East is very important for Sri Lanka tourism. We are ready to meet the needs of travellers from this region with our strong travel services and beautiful destinations.”

He added that the big presence of Sri Lankan companies at the travel event shows the country’s strong commitment to working closely with the Gulf region.

This campaign is also part of dnata Travel’s plan to grow its collection of short-distance holiday options that match what Gulf travellers are looking for.

With year-round travel opportunities and better flight connections, Sri Lanka is ready to welcome even more visitors from the UAE and the Gulf in 2025 and beyond.