Sri Lanka Tourism begins search for global marcom firms

• Calls for bids by 5 Oct. to select 8 Destination Representative Companies and PR firms each to handle 16 countries
• $ 2.25 m contract for each DRC, $ 750,000 for each PR firm
• Funds to be allocated through SLTPB
• DRCs to focus on UK, Germany, France, India, China, Australia, Russia and the Middle East
• PR firms to tap emerging markets US, Spain, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Netherland, Poland and Scandinavia

Sri Lanka Tourism has begun its search for eight Destination Representative Companies (DRCs) and Public Relations (PR) firms each, to handle a planned five-year global promotion in 16 countries and woo more visitors in the face of mounting COVID-related challenges.

As such the Tourism Ministry Standing Cabinet-appointed Procurement Committee Chairman has called for bids from agencies for eight DRCs and eight PR companies to facilitate communication and PR activities on behalf of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’s (SLTPB) Global Communication Campaign 2021-2025 for Sri Lanka Tourism.

Each DRC will have a maximum total contract value of $ 5.25 million over the commissioned five-year period, while each PR firm will be given $ 750,000 for the same period. The required funds will be allocated through SLTPB.

The eight DRCs will be appointed covering Sri Lanka’s prime markets including the UK, Germany, France, India, China, Australia, Russia and the Middle East, whilst the eight PR agencies will be appointed in emerging markets such as the US, Spain, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Netherland, Poland and Scandinavia.

As per Sri Lanka Tourism sources, pre-bid meetings in this regard are being conducted online, with physical meetings on request, at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (SLITHM). The Board Room will be open for interested bidders.  

The bidding process for both units will be conducted adopting National Competitive Bidding Methods as per the National Procurement Guideline 2006.

Prospective bidders must have minimum 10 years’ experience in DRC or PR, be registered as a legal entity and have an operational office in their specific country. They must also have a proven track record in handling a minimum of three accounts on DRC and PR of a value over $ 250,000 on each project, for local or international clients, between 2015 and 2019.

The duly completed bids must be delivered to the respective Sri Lanka Mission on or before 5 October, and late bids will be rejected.

The Ministry categorically stated that SLTPB had not appointed any party or agent in any country to coordinate the bidding process. Thereby any attempt by the bidders themselves, or by any person/s acting at their instigation, directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise, to canvas or influence over the selection process will be disqualified.

Interested and eligible bidders may obtain further information from the SLTPB website and the Managing Director and inspect the bidding document by sending a request to [email protected].

In February, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga appointed a nine-member, high-powered Steering Committee for Strategic Management of Global Promotional Campaign.

The committee was tasked with ensuring a successful global campaign to promote Sri Lanka Tourism by providing the necessary advice to SLTPB for the planning and monitoring process of the campaign.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has long felt the need for effective global promotion. Industry leaders welcomed the move, claiming that there had been no proper global destination promotions over the past six years. (CdeS)