SriLankan in joint effort to tap tourism markets in Eastern Europe

The lucrative East European tourism markets are being explored through a joint effort between SriLankan Airlines, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB) and a dozen members of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO).

A series of carefully targeted campaigns were carried out recently in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic targeting leading members of each country’s outbound travel trade and travel media.

The day-long seminars in their capital cities - Warsaw, Budapest and Prague - enhanced awareness of Sri Lanka’s attractions and value-for-money tourism products.

SriLankan Airlines’ Regional Manager UK, Europe and Americas Kaushal Seneviratne said, “The East European campaign was the latest in a series of joint efforts between the national carrier, SLTPB and SLAITO to boost the country’s tourism industry by moving out and exploring non-traditional markets.

These presentations were well received, and we are pleased to say that we signed up several new operators to Sri Lanka, who had earlier been promoting other Asian destinations. For this market, SriLankan Airlines unveiled a common fare on 19 flights from Europe, departing from London, Paris and Frankfurt.”

Eastern Europe is one of several tourism markets that Sri Lanka has focused on in recent months, the others include China, the Middle East, and India.

A growing number of wealthy travellers in East Europe choose to spend vacations in exotic destinations in Asia. The recent campaign was limited to the three countries closest to Central European cities that are served by SriLankan Airlines, as there are no direct flights to Eastern Europe.

However, the national carrier, SLTPB, and travel trade have also continued their promotional activities in long-time markets such as the UK, Germany, France and Japan. The seminars were held at the Marriot Hotel in Warsaw, Marriott Hotel in Budapest and the Corinthia Hotel in Prague.