Gulf to bring 40 per cent increase in tourism

Shirajiv Sirimane

Sri Lanka tourism is anticipating a 40 percent increase from the Gulf market this year. The tie up with world's most influential Television Channel Al Jazeera would also assist to increase this market penetration.

Director General, Sri Lanka Tourism, Dilip Mudadeniya said that last year the region showed an impressive 31 per cent growth, which was very encouraging. He said that the Middle East outbound market was at US $ 42 billion in 2006 and it was expected to reach US $ 93 billion in ten year's time.

Mudadeniya said that since Middle East enjoys a high per capita income and the fact that they travel out during off-season period in Sri Lanka makes the region very attractive to Sri Lanka.

He also said that their spending pattern is around US S 100 per day and this too is very impressive.

Mudadeniya said that that they would also promote more hotels specially in the outstations to offer halal foods for the Gulf guests.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Faiser Mustafa said that Middle East market was ignored for a long time and the inaction to look at Middle East was taken seriously recently.

He said that in a bid to promote this region more aggressively they tied up with Al Jazeera from March 15. "This would be very productive as it has a 50 million audience. The TV channel has also agreed to promote Sri Lanka beyond commercial terms," he said.

In a fresh strategic push to increase the number of travellers from the Middle East SriLankan airlines is offering Arab and expatiates residents in the region exciting new opportunities to holiday in Asia.

"We are also keen on the Mice Market," said Head of Corporate Communications Chandana De Silva.

The airline is also offering passengers to travel between Middle East and India with a special stop over holiday package in Sri Lanka.

"The response from the Middle East leisure travellers to the subtle promotional initiatives over the past two years has been very encouraging and we have seen a steady increase in holiday makers to Sri Lanka," he said.

The joint initiative with the Minister of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Bureau to promote Sri Lanka in the Middle East comes to an opportune time and we are happy to back this campaign with our special air fares and holiday offers," he added.

'The islands breaks' offers from SriLankan holidays includes airfare, star class hotel accommodation and may more.