SLTB to conduct business sessions in Indian metros

New Delhi, Apr 22 (UNI) In a bid to attract increased travel trade from India, Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) will organise interactive business sessions with Indian travel and trade fraternity in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Fifteen top-end travel companies from Sri Lanka, comprising of hoteliers and tour operators, will interact with more than 600 Indian companies through roadshows.

''India is one of the key source markets for Sri Lanka. This has been attributed to greater investment and infrastructure from Indian companies ranging from global conglomerates to modest business committed investments, joint ventures partnership through bilateral trade with Sri Lankan companies strengthened by the attractive FTA between the two countries,'' SLTB Chairman Udaya Nanayakkara said on its perspective and recent roadshows in India.

SLTB is committed to investment worth Rs 1 crore to increase the destination visibility and recall in the Indian market. The marketing initiatives of the board for India will include, participation in varied trade and commercial activities, undertaking tactical campaigns and consumer promotions in select metros targeting tier II cities and electronic and print media.

The national tourism organisation of Sri Lanka aims to strengthen and provide a greater impetus to the travel trade ties by proliferating association with Indian corporate's, travel and hospitality trade through these roadshows, Mr Nanayakkara said.

SLTB is increasingly looking at developing beyond Colombo tourism products for the Indian travellers towards Hill Country, Vast coastline, National parks, and culture.

The tourism board is keen on positioning Sri Lanka as a more than a family holiday destination by highlighting diverse tourism products of the country, including soft adventure, sporty indulgences, spa rejuvenation and safaris for the upwardly mobile Indian travelers and Colombo as the happening city of South Asia.

With a growth of 7 per cent witnessed in Indian meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) traffic, SLTB is keen on tapping this sector and exploring the future business potentialities.

The key factors responsible for increase in Indian arrivals to Sri Lanka are Visa on arrival, destination competitive pricing, increased connectivity from all key Indian metros. Sri Lanka has witnessed an increase of 7.8 per cent in Indian arrivals in 2005 with total of 1,13,323 as compared to 2004 arrival figures.

Over 40 per cent of Indian travellers are repeat visitors whereas over 60 per cent are from high-end segments. Indians on an average spend mainly on shopping, food, entertainment and sightseeing.

Tourism industry is the fourth largest foreign exchange earner for Sri Lankan economy and India is the foremost contributor in terms of tourist arrivals with contribution of over 20 per cent.

UNI PV CS DS1312