More tourists in Sri Lanka with First Choice

COLOMBO: First Choice Airways of UK, commenced weekly charter flights to Sri Lanka from February 8 bringing 258 leisure travellers to Sri Lanka on a weekly basis, a release said yesterday.

With a fleet of more than 32 aircraft. First Choice leisure aircraft will bring over 13,000 leisure travellers per year. The non-stop flight operates to/from London Gatwick weekly.

Abbas Esufally, Sector Head of Hemas Leisure said, "UK is viewed as a high potential and rapidly growing market for Sri Lanka with a potential of more than 100,000 arrivals each year. The commencement of this flight will help the occupancy of all partner hotels and have the trickle down effect for the communities in those areas. This is seen as a big boost for the tourism industry."

Tourism is Sri Lanka's fourth largest foreign exchange earner and offers employment and earning opportunities.