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| Friday, 23 April 2004 |
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Business travel Rise in tourist arrivals this year by Shirajiv Sirimane Increase in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka, especially from Europe and India, despite the season coming to a close and the country facing a change in the government, is a positive sign, according to leading travel agents.
Tourists usually have second thoughts in visiting Asian countries during elections and many predicted that arrivals in Sri Lanka for this season would decline. "However the peaceful election had build up a good image on Sri Lanka," an official of the Tourism Ministry said. In February 2004, of 43,584 tourists arrived in Sri Lanka, an increase of 22.9% compared to the corresponding month in 2003. The cumulative tourist arrivals for the first quarter of the year recorded an increase of 17.3 % over the same period last year. The overall occupancy rate of tourist hotels increased by 9.2% reaching 67.2% as against 58.0% in the same period last year. Regionally, the highest occupancy rate was recorded in Colombo (77.0%), followed by South Coast (68.2%) and Ancient Cities (67.8 %). The highest occupancy rate, based on star category, was recorded in Five Star hotels (72.6%), followed by Four Star (68.1%) and Unclassified (67.2 %) categories. India showed an increase of 11.1% and continued its position as the second major tourist generating market to Sri Lanka. The other major market Japan, which has high spenders, too increased by 12.5%. During the month of February 2004, tourist arrivals from Western Europe showed an increase of 19.9%, when compared to the same month last year. Major markets, U.K., Netherlands and Italy showed increases of 17.3%, 78.5% and 32.9% respectively, while Germany and France declined by 14.0% and 8.3%. U.K maintained its position as the major tourist generating market to Sri Lanka during the first quarter of 2004. The scheduled carriers accounted for 94.2% of the total tourist traffic, while charter flights (5.7%) and Sea (0.1%) accounted for the balance so far. However the disappointing trend of decreasing number of tourist arrivals by cruise continued. ###### 'Galaxy' launched in Sri Lanka Mackinnons American Express Travels, a member of the John Keells Group announced the launch of 'Galaxy' the on-line global travel distribution system which will now be made accessible to Travel Agents and Travel Professionals in Sri Lanka. Galaxy Distribution System Ltd provides wholesale-priced hotel rooms and transfers to retail travel agents and other travel professionals worldwide, enabling them to immediately access, book, confirm and settle payments on-line at the best possible rates. In the not too distant future Galaxy will provide Travel Agents the ability to book all ground services including tours, excursion packages, cruises and car hire. Galaxy is a system that provides IATA and non IATA travel agents with a direct link to a worldwide supply of wholesale-priced travel products for instant booking. Mackinnon American Express Travel has been appointed as the National Marketing Company (NMC) for Galaxy in Sri Lanka and will introduce its services to the local travel and tourism trade. Speaking to the media Paul Blahuta, Galaxy's Regional Director of Sales for Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and the CIS said "Galaxy Distribution is providing the travel industry of a powerful IT trading platform. Our focus is to bring the suppliers and buyers together minimising cost of distribution. Galaxy is being very well received in Sri Lanka and I have no doubt that it will be a driving force and a 'must have' system for Sri Lanka's travel trade." On April 1, 2004, Galaxy announced another groundbreaking initiative called Galaxy Billing and Settlement Program (Galaxy BSP), the travel industry's first, in-house billing and settlement program offered exclusively for ground services. Galaxy BSP provides a number of unique advantages to current and prospective Galaxy Travel Distribution System (Galaxy TDS) users including access to a highly efficient global billing and settlement mechanism to all participating suppliers of ground services inclusive of a comprehensive global credit risk insurance cover. Galaxy's software solutions address primarily the leisure travel market, the fastest growing segment of the travel industry with an enormous focus on corporate location content for ground services currently under way. Mackinons American Express Travel Ltd., the NMC for Galaxy is a member of the prestigious John Keells Group and a joint venture partner with American Express Inc. |
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