Lanka, Maldives mull joint tour packages

In the wake of Expo 2012’s successful tourist draw, Sri Lanka is mulling joint tour packages with Maldives.

“Combining Maldives’ ocean gateway and attractive beaches with Sri Lanka’s diverse, multifaceted inland tourism can lead to mutual benefits for both countries” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen who announced this to Minister of Economic Development of Maldives Ahmed Mohamed.

The visiting Maldivian Minister Ahmed was making a courtesy call on Minister Bathiudeen on the side-lines of Expo 2012 on 30 March.

Maldives reported a record number of tourist arrivals in 2010 while Sri Lanka’s tourist numbers in 2011 stood at 855,975. In February 2012 alone 83,549 tourists have arrived in Sri Lanka registering 27% increase in comparison to February 2011, of which 3129 from the Maldives. In 2010, Sri Lanka recorded 5.3 million Foreign Guest Nights. According to the Department of Commerce of Sri Lanka, the Maldives is the third largest trading partner of Sri Lanka among the SAARC countries, after India and Pakistan. The value of total trade between the two countries stood at US $ 50.6 million in 2010.

“Sri Lanka tourism has risen to new levels thanks to the efforts of our Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. As I am given to understand, Maldives too is reporting record tourist numbers in 2010 and ‘11. I believe that time has come to for both countries to exploit the tourism boom through joint efforts which can boost tourism industries at both ends in a significant way. I suggest that we jointly promote combined tourist packages using Maldives’ ocean gateway and attractive beaches with Sri Lanka’s diverse, multifaceted inland tourism so that both countries can gain more,” Minister Bathiudeen informed Minister Ahamed and added, “The potential of a combined Sri Lanka – Maldives tourist market is very strong.”

Minister Ahamed said, “Yes, I agree that we can increase our mutual gains by a joint approach to this industry. I too think that the time is now ripe for joint tour packages for foreign tourists given that our attractions are complementary.”