Sri Lanka welcomes 1.5 millionth tourist for 2014
View(s):Sri Lanka’s tourism industry achieved its 2014 arrivals target of 1.5 million tourists with the target being reached on Sunday. German couple
Picture shows the German couple on arrival.
Torrens Jaime and Ciupika Hedwigwho won this honour and was given a warm welcome at the airport by the Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Rumy Jauffer, Board of Directors of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, industry Leaders and senior Staff.
“A special cultural dance performance was held at the Bandaranaike International Airport to welcome the couple and Sri Lanka Tourism offered a special gift and a complimentary package to them to visit country’s tourism attractions. Mr. Jaime, an architect by profession, said he is a great admirer of late legendary Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa,” the tourism authority said.
The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) also acknowledged the significant milestone saying that the strategic development plan by Sri Lanka Tourism will help achieve its core objectives of serving the needs of all the stakeholders and ensuring economic benefits to a larger cross-section of society.
SLAITO President Mahen Kariyawasam in a statement thanked Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and the chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism for spearheading tourism from 2009 after the restoration of peace in the country, particularly in seeking new markets like Russia, China and India.