Colombo, July 11: Despite the recent suicide bombing
incident, the Sri Lankan tourism industry hopes to woo more
Indians to the country with what they prefer most - adventure
tours and vegetarian food and sapphires.
"The blast was an isolated incident. It was targeted at a
particular person and not at any tourists. Besides the
President (Chandrika Kumaratunga) herself has assured that she
would do all she can for peace," says Amith Sumanapala of
walkers tours, one of the largest destination management
companies in the country.
"More than 90,000 Indians visited Sri Lanka last year and
we hope to increase that number with adventure tours,
sapphires and vegetarian food, the three most popular things
that Indians want from here," says Sumanapala, whose company
is studying what makes Indians come back to Sri Lanka for
more.
Sri Lanka is a chosen centre to hold business conferences
as it is cheaper than India to organise the same here, says
Jet Airways director (Sri Lanka) Bihan Dedigama.
Indians also come here due to their ethnic connections
and for pilgrimage, he adds.
Besides, Asia Cup is coming up and the hotels were full
last year, says Kamal Samarasinghe, a national tourist guide
lecturer. "And there is no reason why it should not be a big
hit this year too," he adds.
Bureau Report
