Travel

Tourist Board targets US travellers

by Lalin Fernandopulle

The United States (US) is a potential market for tourism which the Sri Lankan Tourism Board (SLTB) is planning to develop. In 2004 over 15,000 US travellers visited the country and the number increased last year to 25, 000. The US is an outbound market which we have not tapped, Director Marketing (SLTB), Malraj B. Kiriella said.

It is time to focus on marketing Sri Lanka to the American traveller, particularly the high-end traveller who is keen on diving, surfing, bird-watching, trekking, hot air ballooning, white water rafting and eco- tourism. We have to improve our infrastructure facilities and upgrade the quality of our products to meet the expectations of the US traveller.

Kiriella said, " The peaceful scenario in the country is vital to promote tourism. Though the present tension in the North and East has caused uncertainty among tourists it has no major setback on the tourism industry. If the situation aggravates, then there will be an impact on tourist arrivals. Therefore, the resumption of peace talks is important for the tourism sector.

There are no direct flights from the US to Sri Lanka. This is the difficulty we are facing to improve the US travel market. If there are direct flights from US it will boost the tourism sector. There are connecting flights which are time consuming to travellers and non-profitable to business travellers, he said.

Ambassador for Sri Lanka in USA Bernard Goonetileka told US travel agents recently at a function that Americans were long known to have visited Sri Lanka, including Mark Twain, who in 1896 marvelled that Sri Lanka was beautiful and sumptuously tropical".

The Sri Lanka-Gateway to South Asia-Travel Mart which began on June 16 concludes today in Colombo will provide exhibitors the opportunity to meet new buyers. In addition to traditional markets, exhibitors will be able to meet buyers from new markets such as Eastern Europe and ASEAN countries as well as potential markets such as the USA, Australia, China and Japan, Kiriella said.

The Travel Mart will be an ideal occasion to project Sri Lanka to the US travellers. It will be an event where the US traveller could meet various personalities in the tourism sector and obtain information on tourism in Sri Lanka, he said.

Honeymoon passion at 'Elephant Corridor' Hotel

The Romantic Suite of the Elephant Corridor Hotel at Sigiriya has been especially designed to provide the newly wed couple with an experience to last a lifetime, a spokesman for the Hotel said. A special Romantic-Hide-away package has been created to let the Honeymooners indulge themselves in Spa treatment and see the wildlife.

The "Elephant Corridor" has become the 'must be' place for Honeymooners in Sri Lanka and the rest of the world.

A truly wonderful hotel, within a natural setting facing the Sigiriya Rock and sited in the heartland of the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka, the "Elephant Corridor" offers privacy and relaxation, while immersing oneself in the tranquil beauty of the surroundings and the breathtaking view of the lake and the Kandalama Hills.

"Elephant Corridor" is set in a jungle plain, of 200 acres, in the vicinity of the fifth century Sigiriya Rock Fortress, also named the eighth Wonder of the world.

It is surrounded by water bodies, wildlife sanctuaries and the ruins of ancient cities. Amidst thousands of acres of undisturbed jungle, teak forest, and wildlife of many species, includes elephants who occasionally visit to drink from the manmade 1,500-year-old lake.

A choice of 21 luxurious suites, all having large dining, living, sleeping and bathing areas, with private plunge pools, offering uninterrupted views of the jungle plain and beyond.

All suites have handmade furniture, four-poster beds, a bathtub and a separate shower, air conditioning, television, DVD player, sound system, cordless phone and minibar, as well as an artist easel with painting materials, binoculars.

Day beds on a private terrace, in a private garden with a plunge pool, are also to be enjoyed by the discerning traveller, he said.

Air Arabia takes 21 Lankan travel agents on educational trips

Air Arabia LLC took 21 of their top agents from Sri Lanka on two educational trips. The first group of agents was taken to UAE and experienced the thrills of Dubai and Sharjah. The agents were taken on a roller coaster desert safari in the sand dunes which ended with a traditional barbeque dinner in the middle of the desert.

The next day was spent on a Dubai city tour taking in the sights of the vibrant city, including a visit to the famed Gold Souk, and dinner was on board a traditional 'dhow' cruise (long wooden boat) along the Dubai creek. The agents also visited some of the mega shopping malls in Dubai.

The second group, in partnership with Raddisson SAS, was taken to exotic Sharm El Sheikh and El Quessir on Egypt's Red Sea coast. Air Arabia has direct flights to Sharm El Sheikh from its hub in Sharjah. The Sinai peninsula in Egypt offers an enchanting combination of sun, crystal clear waters, golden beaches, stunning views and rich heritage.