CHC tour packages to promote domestic tourism

The Ceylon Hotels Corporation (CHC) has launched special tour packages to facilitate the Government's efforts in developing domestic tourism and sustaining the industry.

Ceylon Hotels Corporation (CHC) CEO, Anura Lokuhetty said domestic tourism is a fast developing concept and many countries have focused on developing the sector as a potential industry to earn revenue. Being negative about the country will not help the industry to grow. What is important is to sustain the industry, he said.

The CHC has over the years upgraded the standard of its properties to suit the customer requirements. We have fine tuned our products to market them rather than simply marketing them without a value.

Lokuhetty said though the tourism industry is going through a critical period the CHC has not taken a back seat in its promotional activities but is on a campaign to revive the industry with special packages and incentives for tourists. The Senior Citizens and School children tour packages received a good response and they have helped develop the domestic tourism sector in the country, he said.

The government's focus on non traditional markets such as the Middle East, India, China and Malaysia to promote tourism in Sri Lanka will have a positive impact on the development of the industry.

He said the Indian tour market is massive and if the strategies are in place more travellers could be attracted to the country. There is a growing Indian tour market but the country is not promoted sufficiently. The number of Indian tourist arrivals last year was over 5,000.

The restrictions at the Airport, security measures in the country and the commitment to promote tourism and develop the industry by stakeholders have been an encouraging factor for local and foreign tour operators. Delays and changes in flight times has incurred additional costs to travellers and the airport. Shifting the airport to another location as a safety measure will be a good option provided the logistics are in place, the CEO said.

Internal problems in the country have not impeded tourists from visiting Sri Lanka. Despite violence in the Middle East, tourists in certain Asian and African countries prefer to tour these countries. Sri Lanka has been a preferred destination among tourists for centuries and most tourists prefer to visit the country, Lokuhetty said.

The focus of Sri Lanka's tourism should go beyond beaches and promote locations, historical and cultural sites, adventure and eco tourism. The beautiful locations in the country are still unknown among tour operators due to the lack of promotion.

Director, Sales and Marketing CHC, Anushka Lovell said the CHC recognises the need to develop domestic tourism through its properties spread across the country. "The CHC has reduced the prices of meals in its resorts realising the financial limitations of people", she said.

Lovell said by developing domestic tourism more employment will be generated to bring in more revenue and it will also develop the rural sector and cottage industries. We have identified a niche market to cater to the senior citizens since most children today are unable to devote time to accompany their parents on a tour. Special tour packages and gift vouchers have been offered for parents to be presented on Fathers' Day or Mothers' Day.

Promoting domestic tourism will help create a sense of patriotism among the younger generation who have not visited the country's historical and cultural sites. The younger generation lacks knowledge on the country's prime sites and the CHC programs will help them broaden their knowledge in these areas.

The CHC tour package covers Kandy, Polonnaruwa, Kataragama, Nuwara Eliya and Sigiriya.

LF