Tourism and Aviation Institutes and SriLankan Airlines have launched a joint campaign to promote Sri Lanka as an attractive tourist destination. It is being implemented on the instructions of the Minister of Tourism, Prasanna Ranatunga.

The preliminary discussion was held at the office of the Minister of Tourism yesterday (21) under the patronage of the Minister of Tourism, Prasanna Ranatunga. Heads of all Institutions under the Ministry of Tourism participated in this discussion.

Minister, Prasanna Ranatunga said that in order to attract more tourists to the country, the institutions set up for this purpose should work together. He also pointed out that this should be implemented in addition to the current global tourism promotion campaign. At present, the Tourism Development Authority of Sri Lanka, the Airport and Aviation Services Company, and SriLankan Airlines are conducting separate promotions. In addition, new integrated promotion campaigns are being implemented. These promotions will be implemented through social media and it has been decided to implement these joint promotions at international conferences, summits, and exhibitions in the field of tourism and aviation in foreign countries.

The year 2022 has been declared as the 'Visit Sri Lanka' with the aim of attracting more tourists to the island. This was announced in line with the five years Global Development Program. A special secretariat has been set up for this purpose and these promotional programs are being implemented in the identified countries. Minister of Tourism, Prasanna Ranatunga stated that in addition to these promotion campaigns, it is expected to implement joint promotion campaigns of the relevant institutions.

Meanwhile, 152,109 tourists have visited the country since January 2021.

Minister of Tourism, Prasanna Ranatunga says, in the last 20 days of December alone, 47,120 tourists have visited the country. The Minister also pointed out that through this joint promotion campaign, tourist arrivals could be increased next year.

Mr.S. Hettiarachchi, Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Janaka Sri Chandragupta, Secretary to the State Ministry of Aviation and Export Zone Development, Retired Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, Chairman, Airport & Aviation Services Limited,  Mr.Ashok Pathirage, Chairman, SriLankan Airlines, Ms. Kimali Fernando, Chairperson of the  Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, and many other officials were present.