Lanka becoming prime destination for M-E travellers

Tourism to Sri Lanka is picking up as all flights and flying times are now back to normal and business is starting to increase, according to Emirates Airline’s vice president India & Nepal, Salem Obaidalla.

“Travel and tourism is picking up and is projected to return to pre-attack levels provided there are no sporadic incidents,” he says.

“The fighting between Government forces and the LTTE is mostly in the northern province, while the rest of the country has been relatively free of major incidents for the past three months.”

Arrivals to Sri Lanka slumped 22% from January to August 2007 against 2006, mainly due to the March to June period when rebel activity was at its peak according to Kanoo Holidays sales and marketing manager GCC Zaeem Gama.

“But this is changing and we can see an upward trend from July 2007 onwards,” he says.

“The most important factor is that arrivals from the Middle East for the month of August 2007 compared to 2006 has shown 33% growth. We have enjoyed major growth from the Middle East market compared to most of the other markets we handle and expect this trend to continue.”

He expects business to Sri Lanka to grow considerably and anticipates “a very good winter season”.

Gama also notes that business to upmarket properties has increased since 2006 and that Middle East travellers are staying in Sri Lanka for an average of five nights.

Dnata Holidays says sales to Sri Lanka “performed ok” this summer but picked up in October and over the Eid period.

“We are getting a good mix of expats and locals travelling there,” observes product development manager Nathan Adams. “Many clients are looking at the wellness aspect of Sri Lanka and are going for two-week spa packages.”

Sri Lanka sales have slowed down for Dubai-based Alpha Holidays, concedes product manager John Flower.

“This is a real shame, but of course, understandable. But given that things seem to have calmed down a little we would love to see people heading back to this paradise,” he says.

Sri Lanka’s inbound tour operators concede that bad press generated by Tiger activity has negatively impacted their business but visitor arrivals from the Middle East have still shown growth.

Travel and tourism is picking up and is projected to return to pre-attack levels provided there are no sporadic incidents. “As a company we made losses in the early months of this year but since May 2007 we have noticed a huge change,” says Laahiru Jayamanne, assistant manager at Colombo-based Jetwing Travels.

“Although our traditional arrivals from Europe were not so encouraging, the arrivals from Middle East, India and Far East have compensated.”

She says Jetwing caters to around 4500 Middle East travellers each year who are attracted to its accessibility (a four-hour flight), friendly people, good quality accommodation and its diverse attractions.

Must-see places and attractions, she adds, are Sri Lanka’s ancient cities, rainforests, bird trails, beaches, elephant safaris and the Sigiriya Rock Fortress. With beach and spa holidays becoming increasingly popular, agents need to identify destination hotspots catering to this trend.

Fortunately, Sri Lanka is a haven for Ayurvedic and holistic retreats. The riverside pavilions of Aida’s Ayurveda and Holistic Health Resort at Bentota are worth recommending. The retreat is close to the beach and a watersports centre for those who need a break from pure relaxation.

Most of Sri Lanka’s five-star hotels offer spa facilities include the Lime Spa at The Fortress and The Baths complex at Amangalla in Galle.

ArabianBusiness.com