Sri Lanka Tourism to launch new brand

by Hiran H. SENEWIRATNE

Sri Lanka’s newest brand name will be launched at the International Tourism Exchange 2009, better known as ITB 2009, which is the largest travel and tourism exhibition in the world, said Deputy Minister of Tourism, Faizer Musthapha. He said that more than 38 local travel and tourism operators are expected to participate at the event. They will be able to attract not only German tourists but also tourists from other countries. The event will be held from March 11-15 in Berlin, Germany.

Musthapha said that ITB Berlin and the world Travel Mart (WTM) in London are events that top the agenda of Sri Lanka Tourism, to promote the country and attract more foreign tourists while building networking among other industry stakeholders.

“Initially Sri Lanka was branded “Land Like No Other” and with the launching of the new brand we could promote Sri Lanka as a value-for-money destination among the tourists in the World,” Musthapha said.

They said they are making all efforts to launch the brand at the event and they are expecting a large gathering to attend the event. “with the new brand we will continue to promote tourism globally,” he said.

The Deputy Minister said “There is a sharp drop in tourist arrivals especially Germans to Sri Lanka and with the dawn of peace in the country we expect a major upturn in the sector” He said that the German government has softened their travel advisory to Sri Lanka and expected an upward swing in the arrivals of German tourists this year. Sri Lanka Tourism is expecting an increase of 20 per cent German tourist arrivals this year.

He also said that they are targeting tourists from Middle East and Asian markets. The event is a tremendous opportunity to promote them.