Sri Lanka Tourism’s 2015 China strategy launched with private sector
View(s):The marketing strategy by Sri Lanka Tourism to market China for 2015 was launched with a private- public partnership in the presence of the Deputy Mission in Charge of the Chinese embassy in Sri Lankan this week.
Also present were the top 65 photographers from the Shanghai Photographic Association capturing the beauty of Sri Lanka under the theme ” Sri Lanka – beauty in my eyes”.
According to an official media release, Chairman – Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Rohantha Athukorala said the event was unique as “we have the key stakeholders from the private sector who operate the market China at the launch where together, we will firm up the marketing plan for China and continuously work together to make an impact to the market place”.
Chinese Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Ren Faqiang, commented; “I like the aggressive but focussed strategy of the Sri Lanka Tourism in the China market. It is well thought thorough and more over accountable for delivery of results. Already you are having access to five key markets and now that you are focussing on testing a market development programme on the Shi-shuan province is commendable given the accessibility for direct air travel between Chengdu and Colombo”.
Founder of ASMET Mervin Fernandopulle noted that the need for translators is key and it must be fast tracked if Sri Lanka is to make the experience positive to a Chinese traveller.
Managing Director for Jetwing Hotels Shiromal Cooray, mentioned that ” for the first time we see the detail marketing plan for the Chinese market and as the GSA for Air China in Sri Lanka I am pleased at the focussed development strategy that we are working to build the business in China”.
Market Head for China at Burea Chinthaka Liyanarachchi said the marketing plan – a combination of above the line and below the line advertising, travel trade meets ups, focussed one to one meetings with the travel trade and media visits by Chinese journalists to current and new tourism products in Sri Lanka – will be highlighted so that focussed deals can be linked with the private sector participants.