SriLankan lauded for role in tourism promotion

Wins two Presidential Travel and Tourism Awards

SriLankan Airlines was named ‘Airline of the Year’ for the fourth consecutive year at the SriLankan Tourism Awards 2011, firmly emphasising the National Carrier’s pivotal role in the growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

SriLankan Airlines is proud to serve as a pillar of strength to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, which has been identified by the Government as being a key driver of growth for our economy. The airline carried 3.46 million passengers in 2011/12, which was an increase of 20.55% from 2.87 million in the previous year.

Over the past year, SriLankan has rapidly expanded its fleet to a total of 22 aircraft, and expanded its global route network to 59 cities in 33 countries. SriLankan has also invested heavily in transforming the passenger cabins which now have the finest comforts and conveniences to be found in the Business Class and Economy Class of any airline.

The airline’s in-flight magazine Serendib won the title of ‘Best Print Media Presentation in Travel and Tourism’. Serendib is produced by the well known Sri Lankan publishing house BT Options under the guidance of the airline’s Corporate Communications Department.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is enjoying a tremendous phase of growth since the dawn of peace three years ago. Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka set an all-time record of 855,975 arrivals in 2011, a tremendous growth of 31% over the previous year’s 654,476. SriLankan Airlines carried approximately 50% of this traffic.

SriLankan provides global publicity for the country, especially in key target markets, in partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism and the country’s travel and hospitality industries. The airline also sponsors and supports dozens of national and international events in the country in many spheres including culture, sports, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions).

The airline also has a domestic service, SriLankan Air Taxi, which supports tourism by providing rapid access to any point on the island within a very short flying time.