Date:02/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/02/stories/2006050212250500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Sri Lanka to launch tourism promotional campaigns

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: The Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) will launch promotional campaigns in "tier-two" cities in India.

Addressing presspersons, SLTB Assistant Director Madhubani Pereira said the largest numbers of tourists to Sri Lanka were from India, followed by the U.K. and Germany. Of the 5.45 lakh international tourist arrivals, India accounted for 1.13 lakh, an increase of nearly eight per cent over the previous year. Over 40 per cent of Indian travellers were "repeat visitors", and over 60 per cent are from high-end segments, who spent $ 75 daily on average on shopping, food, entertainment and sightseeing, she added.

Ms. Madhubani said the number of corporates from India seeking weekend entertainment in Sri Lanka was on the rise. Indian corporate travellers were mainly in the age group of 20 to 40. "They land on Friday, stay the night in entertainment zones on Saturday, and return on Sunday."

Sri Lanka, she said, was looking at developing tourism beyond Colombo for Indian travellers. Regional Manager (India) of Sri Lanka Airlines N. Prabaharan said Goa would be added to the airline network by November, and this would take the number of destinations in India to 10.

The airline offered a summer package for Bangaloreans, he said.