More Pakistani tourists anticipated:

PIA resumes flights to Sri Lanka after three years

by Omar RAJARATHNAM

President Asif Ali Zardari was keen that we recommence flights to Sri Lanka to strengthen trade and encourage tourism between the two countries. This was a sequel to a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, Managing Director of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Nadheem Yousufzai told the Sunday Observer .

Yousufzai opened their General Sales Agent (GSA), The Bottom Line Travels’ office in Colpetty on Tuesday. The Director of The Bottom Line Travels, Shane Gunawijeya said, “At present we have three flights to Karachi a week but we are hoping to increase the frequency to five flights per week and also fly to Lahore in the next few months”.

We plan to launch our inbound travel packages for tourists who visit Sri Lanka and encourage tourism between the two countries” said Gunawijeya. Yousufzai said, “Discussions are under way with officials of SriLankan Airlines to identify training gaps and allow them to access our training facilities so that we can share best practices. Trade between the two countries has a long history. Sri Lanka is the biggest single exporter of betel leaves to Pakistan which has the world’s highest betel consumption.

This new development will also strengthen Pakistan’s relationship with Sri Lanka. PIA is also offering discounted airfares to pilgrims from Sri Lanka who wish to visit holy sites in Pakistan, which has one of the earliest Buddhist civilisations that many are unaware of”. PIA is committed to promoting Sri Lanka as a lucrative business and peaceful travel destination to the global market, said Yousufzai.

The process of appointing the GSA in the country was completed within a short period as The Bottom Line Travels were able to demonstrate good operational credibility. This new venture will be extremely complementary to the soaring tourism industry of Sri Lanka, said Yousufzai.