In order to promote trade, tourism:

Lanka-Nepal commencing direct flights stressed

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Both Sri Lanka and Nepal should lobby to commence direct flights again between the two countries in order to promote tourism, Deputy Chairman, Jetwing Hotels Hiran Cooray insisted at a seminar titled ‘Window on Nepal’ held at Hotel Galadari Colombo on Thursday.

He pointed out that non availability of direct flights to Nepal from Sri Lanka is a great obstacle and it would be hard to sell a combined package for tourists .There had been many discussions in the past with regard to this but nothing has been worked out so far he said.

Cooray said that Sri Lanka and Nepal have many things in common such as variety of experiences, year round weather for travel, everything in one destination, bio-diversity, hiking, rafting, culture, wellness, romantic getaways, shopping and therefore the two countries can help each other by joining hands. He pointed out that there are many activities that both countries have to offer the European traveller.

Activities that are unique to each country could be marketed as a package, he said. For example Nepal has the snowy mountains for adventurous trekking, while Sri Lanka has the beaches for lazy holidaying. However, apart from the availability of direct flights between the two countries stability in both countries is also very important, Cooray said.

He recollected that the year 2004 before the tsunami was the best in the recent past and the country was not in a position to meet the demand. Therefore Sri Lanka should contribute much more to strengthen marketing.

The seminar was organised in association with the Embassy of Nepal and the Sri Lanka-Nepal Friendship Society to discuss on opportunities for tourism trade and investments in Nepal. Ambassador for Nepal in Sri Lanka Durga Prasad Bhattarai made the opening remarks and a number of speakers representing Sri Lanka and Nepal made presentations.