SLT Rainbow Pages launches improved Tourist Directory

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam

SLT Rainbow Pages has launched a much improved and comprehensive Tourist Directory 2013/14 which is likely to be a great boon to tourists and the leisure industry in general.

The latest edition is encyclopedic in content and includes a comprehensive range of easy to find information on literally anything a tourist might need to know when visiting Sri Lanka.

The tourist directory being the first of its kind in the industry, SLT Publications Chief Executive Director Malraj Balapitiya stated that the organisation believed that its newest addition will project a positive image of the nation to overseas visitors and be a boon to the fast developing tourist industry of Sri Lanka by supporting the efforts of the Government.

“We are confident that this novel, value added product by Rainbow Pages, that is backed by the SLT, will assist the ongoing initiative of the Government to promote tourism in Sri Lanka,” Balapitiya said.

STL Publications General Manager Ruwan Wijetunga said: “Our latest publication is truly what a tourist would require as it is incorporated with a wide range of information on weather patterns, exchange rates, rules and regulations of the country and much more that would help make their visit to Sri Lanka a pleasant one.”

He added that such contents were not available in the first tourist directory.

The 481 page tourist directory comprises of two sections. The first section, which carries details about Sri Lanka, its history, sites and areas of attraction, has been allocated 249 pages, whereas the remaining pages carries the directory’s listing contents.

Wijetunge said that much emphasis was given on the country to encourage tourist spending. “It is noticed that many tourists visiting the country do not spend much here. To encourage their spending in Sri Lanka, we dedicated an entire section for this. We want to help to bring money into the country,” he expressed.

When asked on how the directory will reach the tourists, Wijetunge shared that 20,000 copies will be distributed to hotels and other organisations involved in the hospitality industry for free.

Noticing that tourists would prefer to plan their holidays before they actually visit the country, he said that an interactive website for the tourist directory is in the midst of development and is expected to be launched by the end of this year.

Speaking on new product additions, Wijetunge revealed that STL Publications will launch next month a comprehensive wedding directory.