Events calendar to woo more tourists

A calendar full of events makes a destination attractive and will help attract tourists throughout the year, said Chairman, Tourism Development Authority Renton de Alwis. He was addressing the launch of the third World Spice Food Festival 2007 at the Galle Face Hotel on Wednesday.

The event sponsored by the HSBC is scheduled from October 18-28 at the Colombo Hilton.

"The world spice food festival and many colourful events of this nature in the tourism calendar will help attract tourists and position the country's image as an ideal destination", he said.

The Tourism Authority will extend its fullest support to make the world spice food festival a success and has planned to organise a 'happening week' next year that will be made known in advance so that tour operators could plan their visits to the country.

April will be declared the month of festivals and events will be organised to celebrate the Sinhala Hindu New Year on a grand scale that will help to showcase the country's cultural diversity and people's lifestyle.

The Chairman said since last September there was a drop in tourist arrivals and hotel bookings which culminated in May this year but now we have regained momentum and are confident that the tourism industry in Sri Lanka will thrive.

When asked about the steps taken to ensure that there will not be further travel advisories, he said several embassies have extended their fullest support to completely relax the advisories and promote the destination and that the Government has pledged that it will ensure the safety and security of tourists.

"Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism George Michael said with the visit of the Barmian Army and cricket tournaments in December the number of tourist arrivals and hotel occupants will increase this winter.

LF