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Saturday, August 22, 2009

Houses & Lands in Wattala , Nugegoda , Dehiwala

Tourism Ministry seeks new tag line from the public

The Tourism Ministry has, in newspaper advertisements appearing today, sought ideas and proposals from the public to replace the “Sri Lanka Small Miracle” tag line which was used to promote the island as a tourist destination.

As was reported on Daily Mirror online last week the Tourism Ministry had decided to replace the tag line, which had run into controversy as the President was not happy about it.

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BRANDING & POSITIONING SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE PROFESSIONALS IN THE INDUSTRY. WE COULD FORESEE A TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN THIS SECTOR HENCE PLEASE LET THE EXPERTS HANDLE IT.

Posted By: RAVS

Sri Lanka... the warmth of a smile..! :)

Posted By: colombo

"Sri Lanka Blooming Paradise"

Posted By: Raavana

Sri Lanka ... the isle of tears, care to share the experience.

Posted By: Comment

with all due respect i dont think the president knows much about branding...so why he has to get involved in this micro management issues..its a selling point for gods sakes.

Posted By: D

Good move. The so called 'Tourism professionals' in Sri Lanka are real neo colonialists and ones with one foot here and the other on Australia or somewhere, living with migrating mindset. The real hearts and souls of this land should be given a part in this industry.

Posted By: Mayu

How about..'Sri Lanka an utter debacle'

Posted By: dave

I think it is a good idea to get it from the people and get it reviewed by the experts..

Posted By: lovely

A Land of Lions...........this will suite I think, Keep it up.......Hon. Minister

Posted By: saibunana

ya agree with ravs. statistically speaking more than 75% of general public (of any country except few) is stupid or ignorant, no one can expect better outcome from a mass. Anyway i cant see any wrong in the previous tagline small miracle.A tagline got to be 2 or 3 words, u cant fit a 'rachanawa' can u. Im pretty sure some 'gura' will comeup with something like 'mihin'

Posted By: ALF

It is good to ask the public for their ideas for a slogan. As a matter of fact, most overseas countries ask the public for a tag line and the response is unbelievable; wide and numerous with so many wonderful entries to choose from. They should also give the winner a prize; something like an overseas trip or even something better because this little slogan, if eye-catching, could bring the big bucks rolling in. Good luck guys & its a wonderful idea to ask the public.

Posted By: Louisa

"Small miracle" may turn out to be the "largest disaster" of our tourism history, if the country continues the present stop-gap measures introduced as long term policies. For example, without offering the international standards, authorities are promoting the idea of standard hotel room rates at US$110. Not even 10% of the existing hotel rooms have followed international standards. When a tourist can enjoy a standard hotel room in a 4 or 5 star hotel for $110 in California or Florida, why should he or she has to pay $110 for a stinking hotel room in Sri Lanka. First introduce QUALITY standards (which will take some time after 30 years of HIATUS ), then plan for the appropriate rates. As usual politicians have put the cart before the horse.

Posted By: Ali Baba

How about Sri Lanka - Small Mind!

Posted By: Bulldog

don´t forget they have expend not a small amount for SMALL MIRACAL few millions for small miracle slogan in London and Berlin travel fairs to introduce

Posted By: Raj

Sri Lanka - "Beauty of Asia"

Posted By: Crazy

Sri Lanka-**Land of Miracles**

Posted By: mohd

What is wrong with the Tag line"Small Miracle"?. May be someone wants to make a quick buck or is it too small for someone's ego.

Posted By: sw

There was nothing wrong with the original tag line: 'Sri lanka small miracle'. I think its a beautiful tag line and very approriate. Its a marketing tag line and was focus group tested in Europe and got very positive responses. Maybe the president wanted something like: 'Mihin Sri lanka, humungous miracle'. Anyway, didnt we spend millions on this? What a waste of time and money.

Posted By: de Alwis

Get the priorities right and spend that advertising money on improveing the environment and facilities for the tourists.During my last visit in April I saw an European family taking a walk close to Aluthgama town wearing masks.Not a good advertisement for the tourist industry.is it? money spent on advertising under these conditions to promote tourism is " money going down in the drain" Open mind

Posted By: S.Gamage

The pearl of Asia Sri Lanka

Posted By: Haresh

sri lanka 'paradise isle'

Posted By: shihan

Obviously Mayu's comment is somewhat ignorant. I happen to work for the agencies involved with The Small Miracle and the people who worked on it are as Sri Lankan as it gets and a lot of time, effort, money and most importantly research was spent to get it right. Also it has to be a campaign that feels, looks and sounds foreign to attract tourists. I wonder if Mayu even has access to a TV and has seen other country's work on tourism The Small Miracle campaign was in that leagu. Mayu do you have any experience in advertising and strategic communication or are you just another sour critic? If you want we can a special campaign for you - Small Pettiness.

Posted By: Nigel

'Srilanaka the one family and two million robots' how is this

Posted By: rees312

SRILANAKA THE ISLAND OF PLEASURE

Posted By: ali raza

I have been a tourist my self. I have two American tourists at my home. I am going to tell you a perspective of a foreign tourist that you will not likely hear otherwise. This is said while knowing sensitivities, but to demonstrate the concept of transformation and to improve the situation for our people. Here is a template for this scenario. 1. What is working … -we have hotel rooms -we have heritage sites -we have tour companies -we have beaches -we have every thing essentially 2. What is not working … -we have best of all places yet our tourist arrivals are worst than worst places -not enough golf courses -not many repeat tourists -some crimes committed against tourists 3. Area you are working on … - improve or mitigate circumstance in item 2. 4. Probable almost certain (default) future … - tourists will come, likely a little more or little less due to war or other reasons - tourists will likely visit other tourist places as well as Sri Lanka 5. What is missing, the presence of which would make a difference? - tourists infrastructure - bus and train services where tourists can roam without tour guides - clean toilets within soundings of heritage sites, with attendants, paper rolls etc. - idea of separate toilets for tourists would not work - rest area with toilets in motorways where they can rent a car and take care of them 6. Inventing a new possibility … - create an environment where tourists can roam the Island all by them selves without a tour guide if they so choose - do you think you can come up with a scheme that can capture tourists going to India and Thailand?

Posted By: Mr. 10000 Toilet

I dont think there is any wrong with the " Small miracle" heading. The president was big headed thought since we achieved a military victory we are the biggest country in Asia in terms of everything. I also read that small booklet for Small miracle and it was tremendous. Milinda Moragoda even lost his ministry because of the above heading. I think it is not the name that should change but our attitude towards foreigners. They bring money to our country. Look what the three wheeler driver does whenever they see a white skinned guy. They go after him and offer them a ride and try to get a charge which is 5-6 times more than the fee. When the tourists visits the Beach there are lots of beach boys who try to sell sea shells and some other ornaments. they charge 20 - 30 dollars and tell them that they dive deep into the sea to bring the sea shells. But once the foreigners walk more towards to the sea they realise those so called sea shells are washed into the shores and easily found in the beach. I have many more things to say , but every one of us know. If we can change our attitude it will a big boost for the tourism industry. But if that happens it will be a big miracle and not a small one.

Posted By: Rayan Hasalaka

"Sri Lanka The Worlds Wonder"

Posted By: Dian

How about : "Small Minds Big Mouths" Or "Land of Lions and Tigers"

Posted By: Calistus Jayatilleke

i thought ' sri lanka a small miracle' was a wonderful tag line. seemed appropriate and beautiful. can somebody explain why they are changing it??

Posted By: Rajitha

How about "You can check in but never leave" reflecting Menik Farm ethos?

Posted By: Sanjana Hattotuwa

There is nothing wrong with the current tag line. Infact it fits us perfectly. We are small. (This is the realty) but at the same time a miracle. Anyone wo has done any trevlling outside Sri Lanka will know the realty of what we have to offer. Except for the Stupas built thousands of years ago, we do not have the 'biggest' of anything. But the miracle is that unlike most other p[laces here one can do & experience almost everything at a an above average level. But not as the greatest. So as far as branding and positioning goes, I think this is spot on. We have to rememebr taht India just launched a massive campaing called 'Incredible India'... in comparison to their scale of anything we are tiny.. But we can take a tourist from a world heritage site to see wild elephants to see a world class beach to a night club probably in one day. Noweher else can this be done.! Sri Lanka SMALL MIRACLE !

Posted By: Thilan

There was nothing wrong with the original tagline "Sri Lanka: A land like no other"

Posted By: Sunil

I too think that the tag, small miracle was very nice and sweet.The word small was a pun and obviously the President did not get it. Small Miracle is just what we are.Really cant think of anything better.

Posted By: christine abeywickrema

To save money and to be more effective, simply change it to "Splendid Miracle".

Posted By: Ajantha

Sri Lanka Ceylon a land like no other - Let the adventure begin. Sri lanka toruism should step back and review its past yearly campaignes and the success they have achieved and learn not to rewrite the script but to adapt and change it to suit the current needs, wants and expectations of visitors to this splendard isle. sri lanka has so much going for it and yet so few to stand up and be counted. I wonder who will bear the cost of the failured relaunch, oh i forgot the tax payer or tourism provider. Long live tourism, long live sri lanka. C Sayonas MIH

Posted By: C Sayonas

My Island My paradise

Posted By: tariq

Its not "tag lines" & slogans, that bring tourists. Tag lines are unimportant slogans very similar to the ones at Political rallies. What is essential is cleanliness. Clean facilities, no beggars or touts bugging tourists. Tourists, likes to be left alone to enjoy their vacations in peace & comfort. Clean facilities at all tourist sites, wholesome food outlets, efficient, clean reliable transport- rail, bus and taxis. Take a lesson from Hawaii, they have made it a tourist mecca, exploiting all the available resources to their advantage. Tourists are treated how they should be treated. No beggars, No touts, No worrisome anything. Clean facilities in any place one visits. We could take a lesson from them. Their whole economy revolves around tourism and they make an excellent living out of it. Our pseudo Nationalists, anti western elements & so called experts are the bane of the tourist industry. Nature has gifted us in Sri Lanka with everything that nature could bestow, but our foolish people have not made full use of everything to our advantage. If we could get our act together, tourism alone could being in enough income & employment to keep the whole population well catered for.

Posted By: Faqi

Sri Lanka was known as Serendip or a magical land in ancient time. We grew up reading Sindabad the Sailor's (and other ancient sailors')adventures, where Sri Lanka (Serendip) was portrayed as a fairly tale land! The English word serendipity originates from the word Serendip. Frankly, if you compare Sri Lanka with many tourist destinations around the globe, it is truly a 'paradise' from many perspectives: it has got everything for a super holiday destination - worldclass beaches, forests and safaris, exotic flora and fauna, breathtaking mountains, epic adventure trails, nice archetechtures, archaeological and religious destinations and wonders, precious and semi precious gems and most of all, such educated and decent people! Alas, three factors destroyed it - the unfortunate, tragic and protracted internal strifes, which destroyed the mythical image of the country (new image building needed); poignant lack of appreciation of many Sri Lankans as to what a gem they have got, in particular on the part of the machineries(public and private) that are responsible for promoting this piece of paradisical land and lack of proper infrastructures (Thailand style needed to fit all budgets). Why not associate/link Sri Lanka with ancient magical theme of Serendip, which is recognised the world over? As such, one can tag it along the line of, ' Sri Lanka - the ancient Serendip, where your serendipitous holidays can still come ture'. Or, 'Sri Lanka - come for a serendipitous holiday in ancient Serendip'. Happy serendipity!

Posted By: Vangalamriganka

i love "Sri Lanka: A land like no other". i dont know which idiot changed it to sri lanka small miracle.

Posted By: panasa

Oh ... what we should do is not changing the tag line but to organise a good english tutor to these politicians. Then they will understand the underline message of the tag line. This is the major problem in our country. Professionals do a great job. dumb politicians dont have the skils to understand them and destroy the innovative ideas of professionals.Shall we raise a new fund to send these politicians back to school and educate them????? I will donate the first 1000 $.

Posted By: superb from sydney

It's nice to gather ideas from public, and then decided by the experts and marketers. To promote together the tourism in Sri Lanka.

Posted By: Jean - OurExplorer Tour Guide

Sri Lanka - hard working commoners and inept professionals

Posted By: senra

Shame on you for those who placed degrading comments about the country. What we need is constructive critisism in bringing SL to a better place. I agree with Mr. 10,000 toilet. Improving infrastructure and safety will take the tourism a long way. Sri Lanka, the paradise nation.

Posted By: Sid

After wasting millions on a advertising agency to coin a tag line and now wants the public to come up with it? Didnt this tag line appear in Europe? Clearly the word 'small' is not good enough for the Presidents massive ego. I think 'Sri Lanka small miracle' is a lovely tag line.

Posted By: Gullible Voter

It's a Massive Miracle is Sri Lanka Tourism can survive this JVP Minister. It's very sad and dissapointing how all the good work done by WAR TIME tourism minister Milinda Moragoda is undone by the new JVP minister and the president....by focussing only on the change of a tagline. JVP Minister has no original ideas. Sounds like the Govt may call a General Election to decide on the Tourism Tagline.... People must not forget that Milinda Moragoda took over a totally messed up tourism ministry run to the ground by SLFP crown prince and President's Bestman, Anura Bandaranaike and his Ex-Brother in Law Udaya Nanayakkara. Don't forget that ALL the Stake holder's of Sri Lanka Tourism were totally disgusted with Anura. Milinda gave a breadth of fresh air to the Tourist industry during the height of the War. I think the New JVP minister's objective is to attack Milinda Moragoda via tagline without being able to come up with a better tagline. Before the President and his Brand new Peace Time JVP Tourism Minister shoots down 'Sri Lanaka-small miracle' they must come up with suitable tag line...afterall, they represent the people and should be able to come up with a suitable tagline without palming it off on the people..... If the people are to decide on the Tagline, then the people should be paid money as well. Minister Milinda Moragoda was the best tourism minister Sri Lanka had since the late Dharmasiri Senayake of the SLFP. Milinda Moragoda organized the ministry and gave hope to all stake holders of Sri Lanaka tourism during a time of war. Where as the President's Bestman Anura Bandaranaike Ruined Tourism and allowed his ex-brother in law to loot and ruin the Ministry. 'Sri Lanka - Small Miracle' is a nice tagline which appeals to all nations very well. All good things in Sri Lanka are totally destroyed with the change of a government or a minister. Sri Lanka - Small Miracle was selected after a very methodical and practical process handled by people who understand tourism marketing. Stupid, idiotic politicians ruin it all and embarass our country. Now people all over the world think that Sri Lanka can't even decide on a tagline!!! This is much worse than having a bad tagline!!! As usual Sri Lanka jumps from the frying pan to the fire...

Posted By: patriot

Loved Sri Lanka A Small Miracle campaign as a Sri Lankan Marketer living abroad. Mr. President, you did not win the war by using farmer to derive war strategy, simlarly It is best that you allow marketers and advertising agencies to work on marketing campaigns. This is why Sri Lanka can't go forward - Politians don't know their own limitations and try to meddle with everything.

Posted By: Marketer

The Land of Delights

Posted By: bunpeiris

"Sri Lanka the land of fools!'

Posted By: ADITHHA

The idea to get the best slogan from the general public is good but not necessarily be implemented. The best idea or ideas can be rewarded but final say should stay with the professionals. Sri Lanka will attract tourists on its own through private sector participation in world trade fairs etc. The government responsibility is to provide the proper infrastructure. Fixing Hotel rates is not the answer. It can be detrimental when price exceeds for value of services provided. The rates are fixed by Supply and demand. The government must re introduce ' The Tourist Police ' and get rid of the 'thuggery' prevailing in the industry. Provide a safe environment for the tourists , the word of mouth publicity will fill Sri Lankan hotel beds because the natural beauty of Sri Lanka and our cultural locations will attract them many times over.

Posted By: Ranjith Sam

SRI LANKA - THE PARADISE KINGDOM or SRI LANKA - The Haven in earth .. SRI LANKA - Sun sand and peace... just an idea.. whatever we think for a tag no one can compare our "GOD's own country"

Posted By: AC Riyaz

Sri Lanka - Land of Rajapakse

Posted By: Karu

how abt 'Paradise of Fools"

Posted By: fool

paradise of blinds and deafs

Posted By: viraj

Well done Mr. Nandana Hon Minister and President. Even after waste of millions of Rs/- you are in a correct path to find a suitable tag line with the participation of professionals and countrymens. Officials of the tourism ministry are the people who know the marketting as well as looting very well than others. They are well trained by Hon Milinda Moroda. We expect some more big changes from you in the near future. Please dont breack our hopes

Posted By: Saiman

I do not like small miracle as it seems it is influenced by Incredible India tag line. However it seems we still continue to struggle in arriving at the basic fundamental strategy at this critical time as this tag line means much more than just few words but it is the base for our corporate communication strategy. However why we are trying to change at the very late stage which will result that we loose out in critical time being ready for the next season. Whilst agreeing these should be left to professionals but emphasizing the fact they should get it right which addresses our product offer creatively.

Posted By: Channa from New Zealand

How about ? Sri Lanka "Land for Lions not for Tigers"

Posted By: Indrajith