In a bid to attract high-end travellers to the country and help increase tourism receipts, the Sri Lanka Tourism Club (SLTC) has launched a major international promotional drive, bringing in global media partners to support it.
The mentor behind the project, Dr. Prabath Ukkwatte, Co-founder of the SLTC, said the organisation has been in existence for over a decade promoting inbound travel to Sri Lanka.
“We have observed that although arrival numbers are increasing, earnings are not rising correspondingly,” he said.
“To bridge this gap, President Jude Ukkwatte, Vice President Dev Steelmen, and I have initiated and executed a series of international promotions.”
The first is to launch the country’s first tourism-focused Sri Lanka Tourism Channel, www.srilankatourismsociety.com. “Through this platform, we hope to promote the theme ‘Sri Lanka the Charming Paradise’ as a premier destination, highlight festivals and tourism activities, showcase special hotel promotions and carry tourism-related news.”
Dr. Ukkwatte added that agreements had already been signed with several international media outlets to connect with this tourism channel.
“These include the BBC, where renowned presenter David Tarsh will help promote Sri Lanka.”
In addition, Pamela Anderson will front in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, while Angela Chen will promote it in China, opening it up to an audience of millions.
“One key segment we hope to actively promote is local boutique hotels and high-end properties, which would attract high-spending visitors.”
President Jude Ukkwatte said that, in addition to tourism promotions, the SLTC, which is backed by several global investors, will also explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.
“Linking with local banks, we hope to arrange funding at very low interest rates for hoteliers and entrepreneurs for refurbishment, and even for building new hotels,” he said. SLTC also hopes to collaborate with local tour operators, transport providers and retail outlets so they too can benefit from this initiative.
Vice President Dev Steelmen said the club also plans to host several international events in Sri Lanka to enhance destination visibility.
“These include ‘Colombo Countdown’, an international laser and fireworks show on December 31 at Galle Face Green and ‘Colombo Weekend Show’, a laser-animated musical show on Saturdays that boosts Colombo as a vibrant nightlife destination.
“In a bid to attract young tourists, who will be future business leaders, we will also promote inbound homestays and cultural visits, especially from Europe and North America.”
President Jude Ukkwatte said that through these programmes, they hope to help the country generate over USD 10 billion in revenue, significantly increase tourist arrivals, and elevate tourism as Sri Lanka’s number one foreign exchange earner, making Sri Lanka a year-round destination rather than a seasonal one.
He added that the group had met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and presented these proposals, receiving blessings to proceed.
Source : Daily News
