May 01, Colombo: The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) opened this morning at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) with the participation of Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister of Tourism Faizer Mustapha.

Sri Lanka, which is losing the Western European tourism market due to tensions in the island, is paying attention to tourism from other destinations such as the Middle East, China and India.

Deputy Minister Mustapha expressed hope for establishing a regional tourism promotion office in Dubai, similar to ones in Europe. The Deputy Minister has also lined up several meetings with travel agents and the press during the ATM.

Twenty-four travel companies from Sri Lanka are taking part in the four-day Arabian Travel Market.