SL seeks more Saudi tourists

11 September 2013 01:59 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh is aggressively promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination and plans to double Saudi tourist visits from 19,500 to 40,000 in the next three years.

The country plans to attract 100,000 Saudis over the long term said the country’s ambassador, Vadivel Krishnamoorthy, at the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion symposium at the Faisaliah Hotel in the capital on Sunday.

The event was held simultaneously in Jeddah and Dammam and sponsored by the Lankan mission in cooperation with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Sri Lankan Airlines.

More than 15 Sri Lankan travel agents and hoteliers displayed their products and services at an exhibition held concurrently with the conference.

Krishnamoorthy said the government’s goal is to attract 2.5 million tourists by 2016. He said tourism was one of the island’s most important industries.

He said Sri Lanka was an ideal destination for Saudi tourists because they prefer family holidays. “It is also famous for attracting honeymooners,” he said.

“Sri Lanka has more than 2,500 years of history and a rich culture. Sri Lankan spices and gems were well known globally for thousands of years. Sri Lanka was a main stop-over on the famous silk route connecting East and West,” the envoy said.

“It is a compact island which one can cover from end-to-end within four to five hours. This is a plus point because one can see many parts of the country and have a variety of experiences during a short time.”

He said Sri Lanka has a diverse range of attractions including beaches, Ayurveda medicine, sports and adventures, festivals, scenic beauty and wildlife. “Coming to Sri Lanka and spending one or two weeks will give the visitor a better experience than at a number of destinations around the world over a longer period of time.”

He said all visitors need visas, which are available within 24 hours at www.eta.gov.lk.

Ruwan Wijekoon, Sri Lankan airlines manager for the central province, said there are 12 flights going to-and-from Colombo from the three major airports of Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah. He many Saudis travel to Colombo but also find convenient connections to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and various cities in India. (Source: Arab News)

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Comments - 18

Abdul Wednesday, 11 September 2013 06:43 AM

Sri Lanka is Non Halal now you better go somewhere else

AG Thursday, 12 September 2013 08:09 AM

Why not from Swaziland and Uganda ?

Rajagobalapillai Wednesday, 11 September 2013 03:14 PM

they can come here marry children here

mahinda Wednesday, 11 September 2013 10:50 AM

Need to fix sound proof doors for the rooms.

Kotta Siga Mani Wednesday, 11 September 2013 10:24 AM

I don't think so, thay have better taste than what you can offer mate.

Raymond Punchisingho Wednesday, 11 September 2013 09:11 AM

May need to liberalise access to the worlds oldest profession. These guys love it.

FOX Wednesday, 11 September 2013 08:12 AM

MAY I INVEST IN CAMEL TOUR?

fazlyfazly Wednesday, 11 September 2013 08:12 AM

a distant dream of no reality!

AHMED FOUAD Wednesday, 11 September 2013 08:00 AM

DON'T YOU KNOW SAUDIS ARE MUSLIMS? YOU DON'T WANT MUSLIMS DO YOU? OR YOUR COUNTRY WANT ONLY THEIR MONEY?

OH COME ON AMBASSADOR !!

Truth Wednesday, 11 September 2013 02:39 AM

Oh .. Better we hide some truth from them.

Kay Parker Wednesday, 11 September 2013 06:22 AM

why do they come when the government is against the Muslims??

Kavi Wednesday, 11 September 2013 05:57 AM

Ohh, Impossible bcos they need Halal in every thing. We can't provide that. Sorry.

Rata Haraka Wednesday, 11 September 2013 05:49 AM

The Saudis also insist on eating only 'Halal' food. What does the BBS have to say about that.

Fayad Wednesday, 11 September 2013 05:39 AM

With or without Halal ??

Apsara Wednesday, 11 September 2013 05:29 AM

What r they going to eat? If no -halal food available here.

mahinda attanayaka Wednesday, 11 September 2013 05:27 AM

MOST WELL COME SAUDIS ,BUT PLEASE DO NOT KILL OUR POOR HOUSEMAIDS

Thomas Ranger Wednesday, 11 September 2013 03:14 AM

The Saudis who come here does so with mixing business and pleasure. If this Vadivel guy knows what he is talking about, he will see that the wealthy Saudi takes his family to more exotic tourist destinations around the world.

Kandasamy Wednesday, 11 September 2013 02:40 AM

How can they start to promote toursim to Saudi's, especially when they can't even resolve the racial tension between minorities. You think the Saudis will feel safe to come to such a place??

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SL seeks more Saudi tourists

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