Lanka prime destination for Indians

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka is the prime destination for Indians, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) said in its latest report titled ‘India outbound tourism’.

The report taking in to consideration the arrival figures from 2000 - 2004 revealed Sri Lanka recorded the highest growth rate from India out of all countries.

Sri Lanka received 31,860 Indians in 2000 and by end of 2004 it increased up to 105,151 which is a 34.8 per cent growth. Second in the list is China with a 26.5 per cent growth and the 10th is Thailand with 10.4 per cent growth. According to the report, New Zealand, Malaysia and Hong Kong also have recorded 17.12 per cent, 19.3 per cent and 16.1 per cent growth.

Commenting on the increased Indian arrivals, the Sri Lanka Tourist Board stated: “India will play a critical role in Sri Lanka’s tourism in the future. We realised the potential of India many years ago and pushed Sri Lanka tourism to do more activities in the market. Growth we are experiencing today is as a result of promotional and marketing investments we have done in the past.

“We thank SriLankan Airlines and other stakeholders who promoted the destination in India on a continuous basis”.

The reports also said Maldives, Philippines, Nepal, Pakistan and Indonesia did not do well during the period.

Sri Lanka Tourist Board stated that plans are underway for a major tourism promotional campaign worth over US$ 500,000 in India.

The Tourist Board has lined up many promotional activities in India. Among them is the media event to promote the destination during the one day series.

Sri Lanka Tourist Board will also participate at the SATTE in Delhi from April 19 - 22 while road shows will be organised in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai in April 2007. Plans are also underway to assist a major fashion show in end of February where the current Miss India will participate.

According to the tourism forecast of PATA 2006 - 2008 Sri Lanka will have an average arrival growth of 4.4 per cent.