Business Times

World tourism fair sees success for Sri Lanka

By Sanath Weerasuriya in London

Sri Lanka Tourism closed its annual promotion campaign at the World Travel Market (WTM) here on a highly successful note, officials said. Director Sri Lanka Tourism London Office Sanjika Perera said the campaign under the theme 'Sri Lanka as Emerging Destination' was completed on a very positive note and all the stakeholders of the industry worked toward achieving this success.

WTM, the second largest tourism fair in the world, provided a platform for millions of potential buyers and sellers in the leisure field from around the world. A near 100-strong Sri Lanka delegation representing 27 Destination Management Companies and 22 hotels took part in this year's WTM.

Mr Perera said, apart from the economic crisis in Europe, British tourists are still continuing to visit Sri Lanka. "Though we have noted a decrease in the arrivals during the months of October and September, the overall output from UK have increased comparatively this year."

Nabil Sherif, Marketing Manager UK and Ireland, said they finished this year's WTM on a very positive note and the deals carried out on a 'one-on-one' basis were productive. "We hope that Sri Lanka will emerge as one of the best tourist destinations in Asia," he added.

Most of the visitors, including hoteliers, travel agents and tour operators, said they made positive business deals at the Sri Lanka stalls and looked forward to a productive winter season. Tourist Hotel's Association of Sri Lanka President Anura Lokuhetti said he strongly believed in satisfactory improvement in winter arrivals and business afterward. 'The sustainability is the key to the future tourism and we have to get on with it right now. I think the time has come to implement the issue' he added.

Hiran Cooraym, Chairman PATA and Chairman Jetwing Hotels, said be believed this is somewhat the 'slowest' WTM in recent times. "We, as Sri Lanka tourism stakeholders, make very slow positive business on arrivals but on a very positive note. I believe, the downtrend in the European Market would cause an impact on Lankan tourism and we have to get on with the aggressive marketing. Winning the war is definitely a strong marketing poin but we just can't relax on that issue only."

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
 
Other Business Times Articles
Govt. struggles to revive 23 failed units
TESS cannery to cut canned fish imports
BT poll reflects growing public concern over governance
Rs 400,000 monthly wage for Hotel Developers Ltd Chairman
“Visit Kandy 2011”
BOI returns to old system after $3 mln entry fails
Electricity consumers to be levied 2% hidden charge
Comment -Meek chambers join public anger over bill
Beware: FDI flows to Sri Lanka may decline and depress prospects for income growth
Simplicity drives success - A day in the life of Harris Premaratne, CEO Sampath Bank
11-year old Pradeep: First to school, then to work
Colombo port slips in growth to 2.34% in first 9-month period
LFSUS, non-profit financier for the poor, launches website
Dipped Products posts improved 1H results
“Sancharaka Udawa” provides link for service providers
First Capital posts 6-month pre-tax profit of Rs 157 million
AAFL turns 360 degrees to face challenges in the financial sector
World-renowned Bokomo breakfast cereals now at Cargills Food City
Sevanagala and Pelwatte sugar turn bitter
Singer net profit doubles in nine months of 2011
Dialog’s net profit drops by 17.7%; revenue up by 10.3% for 3Q2011
SL isn’t over banked; need more banks : Governor Cabraal
Social media accord ends union dispute with Thomson Reuters
Most SL Facebook complaints from females on identity theft
Virtusa ranked 22nd on Forbes' US small public co list
Mobitel introduces 4 data plans for its prepaid users
Smart device demos
Some 2,000 wanted to attend inaugural Etisalat Android Forum
EFutures hires new Financial Software Sales Team in California
First transform CEB, CPC before reviving others: BT poll
Colombo bourse comes tumbling down
Staff changes as Cinnamon Grand prepares for tourism boom
Nestle wins Best Corporate Citizen award
World tourism fair sees success for Sri Lanka

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 1996 - 2011 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved | Site best viewed in IE ver 8.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution