AASL to promote Mattala Int’l Airport in Berlin
Shirajiv Sirimane in Berlin
Proposed Mattala International Airport
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For the first time the Mattala International Airport would be
marketed at the Travel Trade Show Berlin (ITB) as a strong team from the
Aviation Authority is attending it. In addition a strong Sri Lankan
contingent would be participating at the ITB which will begin tomorrow
in Berlin, Germany. Speaking to Daily News Business, Airports and
Aviation Services Limited (AASL), Chairman Prasanna Wickramasuriya said
“ITB is the world's leading travel trade show and we intend to market
passenger, cargo, courier and charter segments of the Mattala
International Airport in Germany and other international markets in
general through this year's ITB in Berlin.”
Travel and tourism accounts for 258 million jobs globally. At US $ 6
trillion (9.1% of GDP) the sector is a key driver for investment and
economic growth and at a global level. It is larger than the automotive
industry at 8% GDP, and just smaller than banking at 11%.
Raimund Hosch, CEO Messe Berlin GmbH, will welcome around 4,500
international industry representatives at the opening event.
Among those due to speak are Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and Klaus Laepple, President of the
German Tourism Industry (BTW).
Mounir Fahkri Abdel Nour, the Egyptian Minister for Tourism, will
speak on behalf of Egypt, the partner country of ITB. “Our key challenge
in the industry is to stimulate jobs and investment, eliminating
barriers to travel such as visa restrictions, taxation, and outmoded
infrastructure systems.
I am confident that these issues will be addressed at Europe's
premier travel trade fair - ITB Berlin. It is the key place to learn
about new trends, market developments, and to deepen existing business
relations,” he said.
The following companies would participate in the event: Airwing
Tours, Aitken Spence Travels (Pvt) Ltd, Amaya Leisure PLC, Andrew the
Travel Company(Pvt) Limited, Asian Adventures, Asian Exotica Ltd, Asian
Wings, Barberyn Ayurveda Resorts, CCC Solutions (Pvt) Limited, Ceylon
Tea Trails (Pvt) Ltd, Ceylon Tours Limited, Citrus Leisure PLC, Colombo
Fort Hotels Limited, Columbus Tours Pvt Ltd, Connaissance De Ceylan Pvt
Ltd, Crystal Holidays (Pvt) Ltd, Eco Team (Pvt) Ltd, Get Into Lanka
Travels and Tours (Pvt) Ltd, Goldi Sands Hotels Limited, Hawk Travels
Pvt Ltd, Hayleys Tours, Heritage Expediciones (Pvt) Ltd, Hilton Colombo,
Hotel Clarion, JF Tours and Travels, Jetwing Hotels Ltd, Jetwing
Travels, JourneyScapes (Pvt) Ltd, Koggala Beach Hotel, Lanka
Holidays.net, Lanka Sportreizen, Let's Travels (Pvt) Ltd, LOLC Leisure,
Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Mandara Hotels and Rosen Tours, Mount Lavinia
Hotel / Club Bentota, NKAR Travels and Tours (Pvt) Ltd, Oasis Ayurveda,
Orient Tours, Pigeon Island Beach Resort, Ramada Colombo, Serendib
Leisure Management Limited, Serene Pavillion (Pvt) Ltd, Siddhalepa
Ayurveda Health Resort, Sunway Holidays, Taj Hotels - Sri Lanka,
Tangerine Group of Hotels, Tangerine Tours Ltd, Taprospa Spa's and
Resort and Mackwood Travels, The Blue Water, The Fortress, Uga Resorts
and United Holidays (Pvt) Ltd, and Walkers Tours Limited. |