The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Belgium, in collaboration with Emirates and Jetwing Travels Sri Lanka, hosted an exclusive tourism showcase titled “An Evening in Ceylon” at the Sri Lanka Residence in Brussels. The event brought together over 50 tourism industry representatives, travel trade professionals and distinguished guests to promote Sri Lanka as a destination and strengthen tourism links between Sri Lanka and Belgium. The Speaker of the Sri Lanka Parliament, Jagath Wickramaratne, who was in Brussels on an official visit, attended as the special guest. In his address, he highlighted Sri Lanka’s enduring appeal, warm hospitality and diverse attractions, which make the island an unforgettable destination for travellers worldwide.

Ambassador Chandana Weerasena highlighted Sri Lanka’s distinctive appeal, emphasising its unique combination of wildlife, nature and cultural heritage. The Country Manager of Emirates for Belgium and Luxembourg, Jean-Pierre Martin, highlighted Emirates’ partnership in promoting Sri Lanka as a travel destination. The Director of Jetwing Travels, Bandula Withana, outlined the company’s longstanding role in promoting Sri Lanka through its tour operations and association with Jetwing Hotels, which offers a collection of eco-luxury hospitality properties across the island.

The Business Development Manager for BENELUX and DACH at Jetwing Travels, Lieke Schroeder, presented Sri Lanka’s tourism experiences and the company’s destination management services, highlighting the island’s natural landscapes, cultural heritage and hospitality.

The Sales Executive at Emirates Belgium, Laurent Meulewaeter, presented the airline’s services and connectivity to Sri Lanka, highlighting the importance of air connectivity in facilitating travel and strengthening tourism links between Belgium and Sri Lanka.

The event offered guests an opportunity to explore Sri Lanka’s diverse tourism offerings while experiencing its culture and hospitality through traditional culinary specialities, beverages and attire. A live hopper station and cocktails prepared with traditional Sri Lankan beverages added an authentic touch to the evening. Guests were also presented with traditional Sri Lankan sarongs to wear during the event, a gesture that was warmly appreciated.

The evening concluded with a quiz competition. Two winners each received an economy-class return ticket to Sri Lanka, courtesy of Emirates, together with a complete land package provided by Jetwing Travels. Two additional winners received complete land packages from Jetwing Travels. These prizes offered the winners an opportunity to experience Sri Lanka’s attractions and hospitality firsthand.

The event formed part of the Embassy’s ongoing efforts to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for tourism, cultural discovery, nature-based experiences and authentic hospitality. Through continued cooperation with airlines, destination management companies and tourism industry stakeholders, the Embassy seeks to strengthen Sri Lanka’s visibility in Belgium, deepen engagement with the local travel trade and encourage further growth in tourist arrivals from Europe.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Brussels

15 October 2026