Hotels and airlines to formulate host of offers to promote Sri Lanka Tourism
In a bid to uplift Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, hotels and airlines have reportedly held another round of discussions to finalise special offers to attract tourists and revive the industry following the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
A host of offers have been shared and discussed, and a final decision on collective effort is to be made next week with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau (SLCB), and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) undertaking their responsibilities based on industry recommendations.
According to reports, Sri Lankan tourism authorities have identified India as the first market with promotion packages to be rolled out from 1 June followed by China, the Middle East, Russia and CIS, UK and Europe, and Australia.
The launch is to have three key segments that would be developed parallel to gain the optimum impact in the markets: Consumers, media and travel agents aided by promotion and communication strategies.
Reports have stated that airlines have agreed to provide free and concessionary tickets for media and travel agency familiarisation groups focusing from their home markets.
Airlines have also agreed to support road shows to markets with tickets for the promotional activity and to provide their lowest fares/excess baggage as well as other value additions independently.
For the collective effort to be successful in triggering a quicker revival, the industry also requested the SLTDA to finance the marketing and communication strategy in the selected markets, reduce the Airport Tax from current US$ 60 to US$ 50, reduce visa fee by 50%, and remove/reduce all entrance fees to tourist sites.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is engaged in formulating a massive promotional campaign to boost the industry that faced a negative impact following last month’s Easter Sunday attacks. Tourism experts have predicted a quick revival of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector with even the UNWTO chief calling on international community to support Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. Given all this and the incentives offered by the government of Sri Lanka, foreign businesses/investors could explore business opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/21052019/Z_4 |