CNN Travel gives thumbs-up for Sri Lanka

• World famous media network’s Executive Editor Travel says Sri Lanka is trending globally as a priority destination
• Urges Sri Lanka to tell the destination story via pictures of culture, heritage, serenity, diversity and experiences 

By Nisthar Cassim

Post-war Sri Lanka is trending globally as a “priority” destination, declared popular global media outlet CNN’s Executive Editor of Travel Brekke Fletcher yesterday in Colombo.

Visiting for the first time, Brekke, who is on a week-long stay to discover Sri Lanka as well as speak at the Cinnamon Hotels and Resort’s Future of Tourism conference today, said that her trip to the Cultural Triangle over the weekend was “breathtaking” and “healing.”

Brekke oversees CNN’s worldwide coverage of travel, managing a network of more than 800 travel contributors and insiders around the globe, and a dedicated international team. “CNN Travel is excited about Sri Lanka as our readers and viewers are talking more about the destination,” said Brekke, who as a result included the country in her “bucket list” as well.

She is captivated by her discovery of Habarana, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Minneriya and Kandy as well as a bit of Colombo including a seaplane ride. 

“I felt so peaceful, humble and with nature, which is a far cry from New York where I have lived now for nearly 20 years,” says Brekke. “Lush isn’t a good enough word to describe Sri Lanka,” she added having enjoyed the “absolutely breathtaking” aerial view of Sri Lanka’s topography during her flight. “The entire destination seems so vibrant and there is so much warmth and connection between a tourist and the people in Sri Lanka,” she added.

“For the discerning as well as the millennial traveller, Sri Lanka is very much on the list given the rich heritage, culture, wild life, flora and fauna and the cleanliness. The food is so delicious,” adds CNN’s Executive Editor Travel, who previously worked for the Wall Street Journal, where she served as managing editor of WSJ Magazine for five years.

“Sri Lanka can be the gateway for the rest of South Asia for the traveller from outside the region,” she added. Her visit also reinforces CNN’s growing engagement with Sri Lanka especially in promoting the destination for tourists. Famous CNN Anchor and Correspondent Richard Quest included Sri Lanka as the only South Asian country when he toured the world -  nine countries in eight days - on low cost airlines last year.

At the FOT, she will be speaking today about ‘Understanding Tomorrow’s Traveller’,  exploring  emerging travel and tourism trends including how millennials are shaping and changing the face of travel,  the persuasive impact of visuals in travel coverage, particularly on social media and messaging platforms, and the future of travel decision-making.

Brekke said a proactive presence in Instagram is a must for any travel and tourism firm as well as tourist destination. “To me, Instagram is where relationships (with a prospective traveller) can begin.”

“Get your pictures out there be it on digital platforms and traditional media. Sri Lanka must tell her destination story with pictures and share experiences,” emphasises Brekke. 

According to her, the next generation traveller is unlikely to be in tour groups but more independent financially, educated and adventurous to seek their own unique experiences in different spheres such as culture, cuisine, etc.  

“For this segment the world is small hence opportunities for destinations such as Sri Lanka, which has what it takes to lure them irrespective of how far a tourist may be, is enormous,” points out Brekke.