[Business Travel]
Private sector investments to develop tourism in East
by Lalin Fernandopulle
[email protected]
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Arugam Bay
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The Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the private sector will
construct hotels and resorts in Nilaweli, Pasikudah and Arugam Bay under
the Nagenahira Navodaya East Development program to promote tourism.
Leading private sector companies have volunteered to build high-end
tourist resorts and develop the infrastructure to promote travel and
tourism in popular locations.
Additional Director General, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB),
Dileep Mudadeniya said more private sector investments will be
encouraged to develop tourism in the East which has been neglected for
decades due to the war.
“With the liberation of the Eastern province many development
programs have been initiated to revive the rural economy. Tourism will
offer employment and revamp the cottage industry in the province”, he
said.
The Eastern province with its rich natural and cultural diversity,
the scenic beauty and landscape has plenty to offer for local and
foreign tourists. The east coast is a unique tourists attraction due to
the natural harbour, the Arugam Bay beach, the world’s best surfing
points, the Kumana and Yala national parks and places for whale
watching.
Potuvil, Arugam Bay, Komari, Panama and the Peanut farm are
considered the best surfing points in the world. The Tourism Promotion
Bureau will construct a star class hotel in its 135-acre block in
Pasikudah and plans to develop resorts in selected locations to promote
domestic tourism.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Faizer Mustapha said all tourism
development activities in the East will be carried out with the
involvement of the community in a manner that will preserve the
ecological beauty in the area.
Meanwhile, the SLTPB in collaboration with SriLankan Holidays and
popular hotels and resorts in the country launched the Family-friendly
package to attract Middle East tourists for summer.
The package which includes a free stay for two children below 12
sharing the parents’ room commences today and will continue till August
31.
“The family is an integral part of our business and by offering such
packages we ensure that the needs of the guests are looked after,”
Mustapha said.
SLTPB has launched an integrated marketing campaign in the Middle
East to create awareness and promote Sri Lankan destinations. Though
reports state that tourists arrivals have been on an upward trend this
year over 90 per cent of the hotels in the South are badly affected due
to the drop in arrivals.
According to SLTPB reports tourist arrivals in March were up 8.6 per
cent over the corresponding period last year. The highest number of
tourists during the period was from the Middle East which registered an
increase of 80.6 per cent compared to 2007.
The Ministry of Tourism at a recent media briefing felicitated K.C.
Kuttan, a Keralite for his pioneering service of 66 years at the Galle
Face Hotel. Kuttan who celebrated his 86 birthday on February 15 joined
the Galle Face Hotel in 1942 and served as a doorman.
SriLankan Holidays offers the Island dream
SriLankan Holidays has become one of the most aggressive promoters of
sunny Sri Lanka, positioning the island as a must see with a series of
irresistible packages in key tourism source markets.
 The leisure marketing arm of national carrier SriLankan Airlines
hopes to leverage its strengths in key tourism markets like the Middle
East, India and the Far East to increase the number of travellers to the
island.
SriLankan Holidays’ General Manager Amith Sumanapala said, “We have
always positioned Sri Lanka as our jewel in the crown and have marketed
directly and where possible, indirectly, encouraging more people to
experience the many facets of this beautiful island. Passengers to Sri
Lanka account for some 60 per cent of all our business and we are keen
on increasing the numbers further with a series of year round packages.”
Keeping up the momentum, SriLankan Holidays in May launched its new
“Island Breaks” offers in the Middle East and India.
The offer is part of a series of special promotional offers planned
for the Middle East and Indian regions, offering busy nationals to
escape their everyday routine with a quick holiday in Sri Lanka and
enjoy the little luxuries the island has to offer.
“We have an exciting line-up of sights and experiences to create the
perfect holiday for the single traveller, a couple on a romantic getaway
or an entire family,” Sumanapala said.
SriLankan Holidays also launched a special package for UAE nationals,
offering a free holiday inclusive of airfare and hotel accommodation for
children under twelve travelling with their parents.
Tagged ‘Kids go Free” the offer was launched at the Middle East’s
largest travel and tourism show, the Arabian Travel Market. |
