Sri Lanka Tourism – Air India tap into Trade Tourism

June 18, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s tourism promotion bureau and Air India signed a joint promotion to target the top end of Delhi outbound traveler into Sri Lanka, a statement said.





India is the biggest tourist arrival market for Sri Lanka with Indian arrivals clocking in a 38.

2 percent growth in May and cumulative growth at 26.

8 percent crossing 119,593 arrivals for May 2015. “Trade between the countries have crossed four billion dollars which means that we have very strong trading partnerships between the countries even though, the numbers are skewed in India's favour,” Rohantha Athukorala, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau said.



“With the partnership of Air India and Sri Lanka tourism we want to tap into the segment "trade tourism", where the premier class customers of Air India can be reached,” “Sri Lanka Tourism is injecting 240 million rupees in 2015 as we want to target 335,000 travelers from India.” The promotion will include special air fares on business class, value upgrades on top end boutique hotels in Sri Lanka whilst for Sri Lanka tourism will have access to the elite customers of Air India that can create awareness of the changing dynamics of the Sri Lankan product range, said Athukorala. “The partnership is mutually beneficial as we can synergise the strengths of both entities whilst giving access to Sri Lankan travellers to any part of India due to strong connectivity in Air India.” Executive Director Marketing for Air India Pankaj Kumar said.