Sri Lanka, Thailand have potential for pilgrim tourism
Charumini de Silva in Thailand
Sri Lanka and Thailand have the positive potential to promote pilgrim
tourism and develop the tourism industry between two countries.
Sri Lanka and Thailand had a close relationship from ancient times.
Both countries have Buddhism as the main religion and similar cultural
activities.
Therefore the two countries have the positive potential to promote
pilgrim tourism in a sustainable manner for Thailand travellers as they
are highly devoted Buddhists.
Many Thailand tourists visit India and Nepal annually as it is
Buddha’s birth place, ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific Region Tourism
Authority of Thailand Executive Director, Pongsathorn Kessasamil told
Daily News Business.
At present the number of tourist arrivals from Sri Lanka to Thailand
accounts to around 40,000 annually while 4,000 to 5,000 Thailand
tourists visit Sri Lanka, he said. The tourist arrivals from Thailand
reduced mainly due to the three decade war, which took the country
backwards.
Nevertheless, with restoration of peace the number of visitors from
Thailand is increasing in a sound manner, he said.
Tourism promotional activities are essential to attract more
travellers. Promoting different ways of tourism rather than the
conventional leisure tourism such as eco-tourism, agro-tourism, pilgrim
tourism, medical tourism, adventure tourism and knowledge tourism is
vital to attract new markets.
The Executive Director suggested to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion
Bureau (SLTPB) to organize a trip for a Thailand press delegation to
promote our tourism in Thailand.
Since tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the country
with the restoration of peace, such promotional activities would add
more value to Sri Lankan tourism, he said. |