The Embassy of Sri Lanka in France facilitated the participation of 36 Destination Management Companies (DMCs) from Sri Lanka at the International French Travel Mart (IFTM) Top Resa 2026, held from 15 to 17 September 2026 at Paris Porte de Versailles, Paris, France.

The participation of the 36 DMCs presented a diverse range of travel experiences and tourism products to French and international travel professionals. Leading Sri Lankan tourism companies participating at the event included Jetwing Travels, Walkers Tours, Aitken Spence Travels, Connaissance de Ceylan, Ceylon Roots, Thema Collection, LSR Travels, Exemplary Voyages and Paradise Holidays, among others.

The Sri Lankan pavilion was opened by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to France, Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, on 15 September 2026. Traditional Sri Lankan dance performances held throughout the event attracted considerable attention and drew visitors to the Sri Lankan pavilion. The performances provided an opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage alongside its diverse tourism offerings, while visitors were also invited to enjoy a Ceylon Tea tasting experience and discover the unique flavours and heritage of Sri Lanka’s world-renowned tea.

IFTM Top Resa is one of France’s leading international tourism trade fairs. The 2026 edition brought together 32,022 tourism professionals, 1,650 brands and 177 destinations, with 16,725 business meetings facilitated during the three-day event.

The strong participation of Sri Lankan DMCs reflected the importance attached to the French market, which continued to be an important source of visitors to Sri Lanka. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, 73,984 visitors from France arrived in Sri Lanka from January to August 2026, making France the seventh-largest source market for Sri Lanka.

As part of its engagement with the participating DMCs, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to France hosted a reception at the Embassy in appreciation of the continued efforts of Sri Lankan tourism professionals to promote Sri Lanka in the French market. Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador highlighted the importance of the French tourism market to Sri Lanka and appreciated the sustained efforts of the participating DMCs in promoting Sri Lanka to French travellers and tourism partners.

Sri Lanka’s continued participation at IFTM Top Resa reflected the Embassy’s ongoing efforts, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lankan tourism industry, to strengthen Sri Lanka’s presence in the French tourism market, deepen engagement with French travel trade partners and create new opportunities for cooperation and business development.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Paris

24 September 2026