‘Improving Gulf air links would promote tourism’

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

TOURISM: The improving air links to the gulf are key elements to promote tourism in the Gulf said the Deputy Minister of Tourism Faizer Mustapha.

Speaking at the monthly press briefing on Tourism yesterday he said the introduction of four flights to Dubai by Mihin Lanka would further strengthen the air traffic to the gulf.

In addition to Mihin air, which flies every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, Sri Lankan, Emirates, Ethiad, Air Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait airlines operated daily flights to the Gulf.

The Minister said that exploiting this situation they would be launching an aggressive campaign at the Arabian

 Travel Market, (ATM) which is to be held from May 1 to 4 in Dubai to woo more tourists.

“This year the Ministry has invested Rs. 24 million, thrice the amount than last year for the ATM. We are taking the largest delegation of 24 travel companies for the event,” he said.

Mustapha who heads the Lankan team said that Middle East tourists are highly sought worldwide due to their higher spending capacity, larger group size as well as average length of stay. “This is why we are keen to capture this market,” he said.

According to the Malaysian tourism there had been 168,000 arrivals from the Gulf to Dubai and they had used one million room nights. “This is a clear indication of the value of the Gulf tourists,” he said.

Minister said that they would also have discussions with investors who are keen to invest in Sri Lanka on the leisure industry.

Chairman Sri Lanka Tourist Board, (SLTB) Renton de Alwis said that the President is also keen to promote tourism in the non-traditional markets and the SLTB has identified Gulf to be a major destination.

He said that there is also good potential for Meeting Incentive Conference and Exhibition (MICE) from the Gulf and also from India and this too would be looked at.