Winter traffic to hit 400,000 arrivals
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is currently targeting a surge in winter traffic expecting to hit about 400,000 from October to end of April next year.
Tourism that has now opened up will see tourists from countries like Russia, India, the UK, Germany, and France and also from Poland, Kazakhstan and Ukraine, industry officials said.
In this respect, the authorities are gearing up to carry out a number of promotional campaigns in the top five tourist generating markets.
SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier has started flights to key markets like Russia with a second weekly flight expected to commence by December. In addition the airline recommenced traffic to Paris twice weekly.
Meanwhile, two promotional campaigns are being worked out; a Rs.200 million television campaign and another Rs.200 million tactical promotional campaign, officials said.
In addition a proposal had been submitted about two weeks back to the Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga to carry out a joint promotional campaign with tour operators and hotels.
In this respect, a request has been made for Rs.400 million to carry out this campaign but this is yet to receive approval.
The industry is looking at commencing this campaign by December in a bid to ensure they will be able to generate the required traffic in time for this
winter season.
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