SL targets increase in tourist arrivals
Shirajiv Sirimane in London
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Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane,
Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK Dr Chris Nonis, Chairman,
SriLankan Airlines, Nishantha Wickramasinghe, Nalin Perera,
Customer Relations Officer, Sri Lanka Tourism UK along with
other stakeholders at the WTM opening ceremony yesterday in
London. Picture by Shirajiv Sirimane
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Sri Lanka is targeting an increase of over 5 % arrivals from the
United Kingdom this year. Already the market has shown a 3.5 % increase
up to September 2012 with arrivals to Sri Lanka followed by India. ‘This
is an important market for Sri Lanka and the WTM would be a launching
pad to increase arrivals from this market,’ said Deputy Minister of
Economic Development Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane.
He said that there had been a steady increase in UK arrivals from
2009, (81,594), 2010 (105, 882) and 2011 (106, 082) during the last
three years, and it would surpass all previous figures this year.
In 2004, Sri Lanka was the best destination for UK tourists, but saw
a dip after the tsunami.
The Commercial section of the Sri Lanka High Commission, has been
entrusted to promote tourism in UK and have been conducting and
sponsoring regular events, including familiarisation tours to the media
to woo more visitors.
This year, Sri Lanka has over 100 participants and is the largest
contingent to represent the event.
The World Travel Market International Press Centre is the largest
press centre in the UK, attracting up to 3,000 international journalists
during the four days of the event.
The show attracts thousands of trade visitors from around the globe
as well as a good number of students during the final days. It is
regarded by many as a ‘must to attend’ for anyone within the travel
industry. |
