Diversity and variety of experience way forward for tourism: experts

Online webinar in progress

Sri Lanka Tourism presented a strategic online webinar targeted at industry stakeholders, on the topic ‘Building destination image for post COVID tourism revival’. 

The webinar was held on December 11th at 5.30 p.m. via zoom. 

The webinar hosted through zoom commenced with a presentation by Dr. Lalith Chandralal, Senior Lecturer Department of Marketing and Management University of Sri Jayawardenapura University. 

Dr. Chandralal presented the findings of a national study on the importance of visitor perception and emphasised the importance of capitalising on these to attract travellers in the new normal. 

This was followed by a panel discussion led by three leading industry experts, John Bailey, Global Tourism Communications Consultant at Global Communications Consulting, Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism and Damian Cook, Global Tourism Marketing Consultant and Founder and CEO of E-Tourism Frontiers. 
John Bailey argued that travel destinations cannot market off the back of safety and infrastructure. He further elaborated that such are not marketing mechanisms but assumptions that travellers make. So Sri Lanka must focus on what Sri Lanka has to offer - such as wellness and adventure hiking.

Kirmali Ferando spoke extensively on how Sri Lanka has adapted to the move away from mass tourism and how Sri Lanka Tourism has implemented a clear strategy and research roadmap to help the 
tourism industry. 

Damian Cook highlighted why it was important for Sri Lanka to customise the travel experience to meet individual needs, especially because millennials are going to be the first to begin travelling. 

This eminent panel was moderated by Dileep Mudadeniya, Vice President, Marketing and Events, Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts/ Head of Corporate Affairs, John Keels PLC.  

Sri Lanka Tourism hopes to incorporate these findings into the strategy-making mechanism in the new normal. This event was held in partnership with the Advocata Institute, which was the official Public Policy Partner for the event. 
This panel further discussed the strategic path ahead for reviving tourism in a post COVID context, and the roadmap laid out by the national tourism regulator and explored the readiness to resume operation within the new normal.

The event is available for public viewing on both Sri Lanka Tourism and Advocata Institute’s Facebook pages.