Niche products to attract tourists

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

One of the oldest steam trains in operation in the world, the Viceroy Special commemorated its 25th year recently.

Chairman JF Tours Hemasiri Fernando and Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism Dr. Nalaka Godahewa at the anniversary celebrations.

The Viceroy Special

Operated by JF Tours headed by Hemasiri Fernando the train could carry around 60 passengers and is being hired on a charter basis mainly for up market clientele.

Fernando said that they began operations of the Viceroy Special when the chips were down in the travel industry and now with permanent peace they are looking at better times.

With President Mahinda Rajapaksa's aim of making 2011, the Visit Sri Lanka Year and with a target of attracting 2.5 million tourists by 2016, Niche products of this nature are important, he said.

Fernando said they are now looking at expanding the Viceroy Steam train route network to Badulla. He said that the Badulla train journey is tagged as one of the most scenic journeys in the world.

Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said that though attracting 2.5 million is not a big issue what wanted is to have high spenders and products of this nature would help that cause.

He said that last year Sri Lanka attracted 654,000 tourists and next year a 30 percent growth is expected.

The Postal Department has also risen to the occasion with the issue of five stamps to the value of Rs. 5 x 4 and Rs. 45. This includes Sri Lanka's longest stamp measuring 123mm in length and 30mm in breath.

The anniversary celebrations and the issue of the stamps took place in Rambukkana.