SriLankan Airlines to meet tourists' rush

by Sapumali GALAGODA

SriLankan Airlines is planning to expand its business in several areas including the purchase of new aircraft, introduction of new destinations, increased frequencies and the commencing of the taxi operations to attract visitors from new markets and consolidate in the existing markets.

Chairman, SriLankan Airlines Nishantha Wickremasinghe said that with the end of the conflict the global travel trade is looking at exploring Sri Lanka with its diverse interests and places all within a few miles.

He said that there is no better time to invest in the North American region and the visitors are aware that we are planning many activities.

Addressing the gathering to welcome nine reputed tour operators from North America and Canada who are on a five-day familiarisation tour he said that tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka from USA and Canada have increased by 25.2 percent and 21.1 percent during the period January-August this year compared to the same period of last year.

He said that the country is recognised as a new destination especially considering the recent article in the New York Times which listed Sri Lanka as the first among the top 31 destinations to travel in 2010.

The National Geographic too ranked Sri Lanka second among its top 25 places to visit in 2010.

These endorsements together with other positive comments have created a new interest in the leisure segments in USA and Canada which are constantly seeking new, unique and exotic places to travel, said Wickremasinghe.