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Sunday, 14 November 2010
Sri Lanka Tourism set to be a top tourism performer Sends strong message at WTM London
At a well-attended World Travel Market press conference, Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Dr. Nalaka Godahewa officially launched the 2011 Visit Sri Lanka campaign, with its theme of eight wonderful experiences in eight days.
This year he said it was exciting that more than 50 Sri Lankan hotels and travel companies had committed to attending the event and marketing their products to attendees – the biggest turn-out ever.
The Sri Lankan pavilion demanded attention with its banners proclaiming Visit Sri Lanka 2011. It was opened by Justice Nihal Jayasinghe, Sri Lankan High Commissioner in UK.
Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Malraj Kiriella, Acting Managing Director, and Sanjika Perera, Director UK and Ireland, of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, along with Nishatha Wickramasinghe, Chairman, Sri Lankan Airlines, joined the 50 industry leaders to present the Sri Lanka tourism story.
Dr. Godahewa applauded the industry support for the campaign logo and slogan, 'Refreshingly Sri Lanka'…..the Wonder of Asia.
He said the eight different colours of the letters of Sri Lanka in the new logo represented eight different stories: Pristine: beach; Wild: wildlife & nature; Thrills: sports and soft adventure, Scenic: Tea country, Heritage: 2500 years of civilization and eight UNESCO sites; Bliss: Ayurveda, and upmarket boutiques for chilling out; Essence: authenticity of people, eco tourism, culture and unique places for weddings.
Mr. Malraj Kiriella explained that the 12 letters of the 'Wonder of Asia' depict the 12 month calendar of events for the Visit Sri Lanka 2011 Campaign.
'Every month we will be celebrating a different theme. First up is January which will promote beaches at the season’s peak. February will feature Sri Lanka co-hosting of ICC matches. March will promote MICE combined with the organizing of UNWTO regional commission meeting in Sri Lanka.
In April People and Culture will highlight Sinhala and Hindu New Year celebrations. May focuses upon religion with the 2,600 anniversary of Buddha Jayanthi. June focuses on Sri Lanka’s niche market for weddings and honeymoons. July promotes Shopping, when there will be a major shopping festival in Colombo. August will highlight the History and Heritage of the country with the world famous Kandy Esala Perahera. September establishes the Sri Lanka’s rich Wildlife and Nature with the Minneriya Elephant Gathering. October will introduce a new community and education product to support developing nine tourism villages. November focuses upon Bliss: Sri Lanka’s reputation for wellness and Auryveda.
Finally December highlights Sri Lanka’s distinctive culinary traditions with the World Spice Festival'.
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