DRMumbai: In an effort to ramp up Indian outbound tourists visiting Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB)in collaboration with SriLankan Airlines, The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) and Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) has introduced attractive ‘Splendors of Sri Lanka’ packages starting at Rs. 24,395, specifically targeting India, the number one source market, to revive the industry that had a temporary setback due to the recent terror incident. The package offered includes discounted airfare, accommodation, transport and more, ranging from 30 per cent to 60 per cent. 83 hotels and 38 DMCs are partnering SriLankan Airlines to make this possible. This package is unique to India and can be availed across SriLankan Airlines’ network covering 12 cities in India with 123 weekly flights.
Chamari Rodrigo, Consul General (Mumbai), Sri Lanka along with the Sri Lankan delegation headed by John Amaratunga, Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs attended the event.
Minister Amaratunga spoke of the restored security environment in Sri Lanka and assured the travel trade that the incident will be an isolated one. The state of emergency which was declared soon after the incident will be withdrawn in a few week’s time, assured the Minister. Sri Lanka is targeting 500,000 visitors from India in 2019 and has welcomed over 150,000 visitors in the first three months of 2019. He requested Indian media to fully support the efforts put forth by the SLTPB together with key stakeholders of the industry and thanked them for their extended support in the past which has been instrumental in making India the number one source market for Sri Lanka. India was the first nation to relax the travel advisory issued in the wake of the terror incident. As of now most nations (China, UK, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands and others) except the US, have relaxed the travel advisory.
The five tour packages to Sri Lanka range from a combination of stays in Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Dambulla, Sigiriya and South Coast with multiple options to suit any budget. These offers will be valid for stays from June 10, 2019 to September 30, 2019 and can be availed through the travel agents network in India.
Kishu Gomes, Chairman, SLTPB informed that the Bureau has engaged advertising major JWT for driving global marketing and communications strategy. A global PR firm is also being finalized. From August 3-10, SLTPB will organize a grand event ‘Colombo Celebrate’, with themes around food, culture, sports and entertainment to announce to the world that Sri Lanka has bounced back and is safe for work and leisure. Sachin Tendulkar and Deepika Padukone are expected to topline the event along with celebrities from around the world.
SriLankan Airlines’ deep network in India and high frequency should help popularize the India-specific package hoped Dimuthu Tennakoon, Head of Worldwide Sales and Distribution, SriLankan Airlines. He informed that MasterCard, which has over 180 million Indian card holders, has also come on board to promote the packages through their well-connected channels.
India accounted for 18.2 percent, which is 424,887 arrivals in 2018, an impeccable 10.5 percent hike from previous year. Sri Lanka aims to progressively promote the destination for weddings and film shoots this year, with leisure being the primary focus. Sri Lanka welcomed 2.3 million global visitors in 2018 and hopes to touch 2 million this year.
