New strategies and new packages from SriLankan Holidays

Celebrating a very successful first year since its relaunch, SriLankan Holidays is all charged up to drive the leisure travel market across the region. Two new brochures launched to its global partner-network recently will be one of the key tools used in its new growth strategy.

SriLankan Holidays General Manager, Amith Sumanpala said, 'We are very excited to introduce the very first set of fully illustrated travel brochures for both inbound and outhbound holidays'. 'The brochures are very user-friendly and will be a valuable tool for travellers looking to holiday in Sri Lanka or any one of the destinations served by SriLankan Airlines'.

The Inbound brochure features 15 exciting holiday destinations covering Sri Lanka's pristine beaches, the commercial capital, the hill country and the cultural enclave. Described as a celebration of Sri Lanka and what it has to offer, the brochure also features 29 SriLankan Holidays partner hotels - hand picked for the quality, class and the holistic service offer by each venue. Titled "What will you bring back," the outbound brochure is a guide and an invitation for Sri Lankans to explore the world.

'Sri Lankans enjoy more holidays per year than any other nation - giving us more reasons to explore the world' Mr. Sumanapala says. The outbound brochure explores 39 holiday hotspots spread across China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Maldives and India.

Mr. Sumanapala added, 'The two brochures are a great way to discover Sri Lanka and the region and we are confident that it will encourage more people to travel'. In addition to the destination highlighted in the brochures, SriLankan Holidays also offers special holiday packages to a number of other destinations, including holidays in the Middle East and Europe.

'We are able to offer a wider range of holiday destinations thanks to our global holiday partner network, established during the last year' added Mr. Sumanapala. Addressing the first Sri Lankan Holidays global sales conference earlier this month, Sumanapala said, 'We have built a dynamic global partnership and have a very strong portfolio of holiday products that are reshaping the leisure industry. We now need to capitalise on these strengths to forge ahead as a leader in the region'.

National Tourism Organisations, travel agents, tour and hotel operators from around the world converged in Colombo to discuss fresh ideas for further growth at 'Making the Connection', SriLankan Holidays' first conference and travel mart for its global partners. SriLankan Holidays celebrated its first anniversary since its re-launch in October 19 in 2006, when it undertook the challenge to revamp its marketing strategy and build a global partnership offering a world of memories to a fast growing clientele of holidaymakers.

Since then, SriLankan Holidays has established a global partnership and franchise operations across the network, including its Indian distribution network - the largest outside Sri Lanka. The now very popular 'Mega 999' and 'Red Hot' holiday packages were also introduced during the year, helping broad-base the leisure markets in Sri Lanka and the region.

'Today we have a situation where an Indian national opts for a Sri Lankan Holiday package to Sri Lanka, the Far East and the Middle East. It is also encouraging to see more interest from Middle East residents to holiday in the Far East and the Maldives' he explained.‘Keeping up with the demand our 'Visit Sri Lanka Campaign' generated earlier this year, SriLankan Holidays has now launched a new initiative 'Exciting Sri Lanka', to encourage more Indian and Middle East residents to visit Sri Lanka and explore the diversity the island has to offer."

The year also saw SriLankan Holidays introduce TradeNet, a real-time internet based booking engine, allowing travel partners to offer holidaymakers immediate hotel, flight and tour confirmations, custom make holiday packages and advice on fares.