Tourism boost for SL: Alston Koch to host Family Film Awards 2015 in Hollywood

Tuesday, 18 August 2015 01:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka tourism to take part in World Travel Exchange 2015
US market growing by 19.1% and SL targeting 100,000

In the backdrop of the 19.1% growth in the US market with visitor numbers touching 26,200 as at end July 2015, Universal Studios announced that Sri Lankan Alston Koch has been officially appointed to host The Family Film 09-6 Awards 2015 in Hollywood on 27 August.

“This further puts brand Sri Lanka on the radar in the US market which we must use to promote Sri Lanka,” commented Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau Chairman Dr. Rohantha Athukorala.

Sri Lanka will be taking part in the key B2B Travel and Tourism fair in Orlando – World Travel Exchange Awards 2015, in which key private sector entities will take part, he said.

“Koch has been a goodwill ambassador for Sri Lanka Tourism and operates out of the US. He has a ‘Special Citation & Commendation’ from the US Congress certifying ‘Special Congressional recognition for outstanding and invaluable service to the community in America’ which stacks up on the recently appointed Sri Lankan K. Ravindran to the top notch post of Global Rotary President which has a permanent seat in the United Nations. This adds to the Disney movie epic documentary that has crossed the $16.4 million dollar box office ticket sales ‘Monkey Kingdom,’” voiced Athukorala.

“We must now move the travellers in the decision making process and for the US to be a 100,000 visitor market from the current 50,000 targeted for 2015.”