Largest media delegation from France and Belgium make successful Lankan fam tour

THASL President Sanath Ukwatta, Galle Face Hotel Group Sale Marketing Director Mubarak Gaffoor, Connaissance de Ceylan – Theme Resorts and Spas Chairman/MD Chandra Wickramasinghe, Salaun Holidays President Michel Salanu, Tourism and Aviation State Minister Arundika Fernando, SLTDA Chairperson Kimarli Fernando, Salaun Holidays MD Stephane Le Pennec and Embassy of France Deputy Head of Mission Aurelien Maillet

A 20-member French and Belgian media delegation has successfully completed a familiarisation tour in Sri Lanka thanks to an initiative of Chandra Wickramasinghe, the Chairman and Managing Director of Connaissance de Ceylan and Theme Resorts and Spas, organised in collaboration with Salaün Holidays (https://www.salaun-holidays.com/), a leading tour operator in France.

Organised under the guidance of Wickramasinghe and with the patronage of Salaün Holidays, the tour commenced on 18 January with the arrival of the foreign delegates representing 20 different press and media enterprises. 

They were garlanded and warmly welcomed upon their arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport. 

During the four-day tour, the participants explored the cities of Sigiriya, Kandy and Colombo, three of the main attractions for any tourist who visits the island. The main highlights of the tour included a helicopter ride from Colombo to Sigiriya, a trip to the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress, the inauguration of a computer and language centre in Audangawa, a cookery demonstration at the ‘Nagula’ paddy museum at the Aliya Resort and Spa, a jeep safari at the Minneriya National Park and a visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. 

The computer and language training centre in Audangawa was inaugurated by the Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka, Eric Lavertu, and Salaün Holidays Chairman and Proprietor Michel Salaün, who has always believed in contributing to the social and cultural development of host countries. A CSR initiative of Connaissance de Ceylan, conducted through Reconstruire et Vivre (R.e.V), this project will immensely aid the development of English language proficiency and computer literacy among the young students of the region.  Representing the biggest group of media personnel from France and Belgium to arrive in the country since the Easter Sunday attacks, the congregation consisted of 20 journalists from 20 press and media enterprises in France and Belgium. The objective behind the familiarisation tour was to showcase the cultural and historical attractions of the country and to boost the Sri Lankan tourism industry. 

The media value of the event was immense owing to the French and Belgian media partners who collaborated on this venture. Among the media personnel who participated in the familiarisation tour was Emmanuel Langlois from France Info, a renowned national radio broadcasting channel in France. 

Among the representatives of national newspapers of France who joined in were Jean Pierre, a former journalist at Le Figaro, one of the most widely read French daily newspapers. Martine Robert from Les Echos, Sandrine Mercier from A/R Magazine and Eric Valenne from weekly Belgian magazine Telepro were also among the group.

Among the journalists of French regional newspapers were Charlotte Hervot representing Ouest-France, Thierry Suzan representing L’Est Republicain, Maxime Pedrero from La Voix du Nord, Hubert Coudurier from Le Telegramme, Bernard Moulin from Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace, Sandra Basso representing La Provence, Claire Camarasa from Nice Matin, Isabelle Bollene from L’Alsace and Christelle Lasaires from La Charente Libre.

Among travel and tourism related media enterprises, Laurie Medina represented TourMaG, one of the best-known information portals for tourism professionals selling 656,000 printed copies alone per month. Other participants were Florian De Paola from L’Echo Touristique, Bruno Courtin from Tour Hebdo, Jean François Belenger from Voyages et Groupes magazine, Yves Pouchard from La Quotidienne and Jennifer Istace from Travel Magazine published in Belgium.

“At a time of need like this, the value of media publicity accompanied by this venture to the country is immeasurable” said Wickramasinghe. 

“The lack of a properly organised marketing drive from the tourism authorities following the Easter attacks has brought upon a huge downfall for the tourism industry. I believe that private initiatives of this nature will contribute immensely to regaining the momentum of tourist arrivals and will provide a much-needed boost to the industry. My dream is to see tourism thrive once again in Sri Lanka.” 

With 88 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Salaün Holidays is based in Brittany, the westernmost region of France. Founded by Michel Salaün, the grandfather of the present CEO, the company commenced its journey in 1982 and has today become one of the most sought after tour operators. The group now employs more than 726 people in several countries offering more than 250 tours in 110 different countries, and has helped 220,000 travellers discover the world in 2019 alone.

Managed and headed by Patricia Wickramasinghe, R.e.V (http://www.reconstruire.lk/) was founded on the very next day after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, with the intention of building houses for the victims of the catastrophe. Presently, R.e.V has constructed 93 houses, three preschools and four computer and language centres, serving local communities in need across the island. Since R.e.V is the long-established CSR arm of Connaissance de Ceylan, Connaissance de Ceylan and Theme Resorts & Spas is the primary sponsor and donor of the association. 

Initially meant to rebuild a few houses for victims of the tsunami, R.e.V’s desire to serve local communities did not cease once this initial goal was achieved. Since its commencement, R.e.V. has been continuously aiding underprivileged communities for the past 15 years.

Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe