Extensive tourism promotion in Russia to be continued in 2014
Thursday, 9 January 2014 00:00
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By Cheranka Mendis
With Russia, Ukraine and CIS countries coming forward to take their places among Sri Lanka’s top ten tourist markets and settling in at fourth place with a 5.98% share of the entire market and with growth at 45.7%, aggressive destination promotion activities that have been ongoing in Russia through last year will be continued in 2014 spearheaded by Sri Lankan Ambassador in Russia Udayanga Weeratunga.
Speaking at the Tourism Guide Book launch yesterday, Weeratunga noted that the plan is to focus on Armenia as a key marketing point this year. A number of ‘caravan road shows’ are scheduled to be hosted in Belarus, Kazakhstan and Moscow, while a number of workshops for travel and tour operators with cultural shows, Sri Lankan nights and exhibitions will be hosted in conjunction with the road show.
A large number of media personnel from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Ukraine will also be hosted in Sri Lanka in February, May, July, August and November, for familiarisation tours to promote the island in their home countries.
Weeratunga said: “We will also take part in a number of trade and travel fairs held in areas that come under my purview. We hope to be part of tea exhibitions to MITT and UITT, KFT Tourism exhibition, Rest and Ent Expo 2014, the World Food 2014, Leisure 2014, Exhibition Tour Business 2014 and Tea World Food 2014.”
In 2013, Weeratunga was instrumental in carrying forward a successful tourism promotion drive in Russia and CIS countries. A number of three-day mega road shows were held in order to encourage Russian tourists to come to Sri Lanka. All promotional activities are backed by Sri Lanka Tourism.
Pix by Lasantha Kumara
