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The event, hosted by the new Director of Sri Lanka Tourism for the UK, Sanjika Perera celebrated the continued rise in visitor figures from the UK. March 2008 saw an 11.9% growth in holiday makers to Sri Lanka year on year from the UK market.

In attendance at the Sri Lanka High Commission were key industry players such as Tom Nutley, the Chairman of PATA, Sue Biggs, formerly of Kuoni, Francis Tuke from ABTA and other various industry tour operator and travel agent partners (please let me know which pictures we have); all of whom showed their support to Sri Lanka. Also at the event were the newly appointed Marketing Manager Nabeel Shariff and the departing Director of UK Tourism, Jean-Marc Flambert.

The UK remains the most important market for Sri Lanka with a increasing trend over the last couple of years. Globally, incoming travellers were up 8.6% in March year on year, whilst Europe & Russia showing a significant increase between January – March 2008. For the first quarter, the largest increase came from the Middle East, which registered a year on increase of 80.6%.

The positive news for Sri Lanka continued with Sri Lanka hosting a Hot Air Balloon festival & the PATA AGM in March & April respectively. Renton de Alwis – Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism was awarded the ‘PATA Chairman’s Award of Recognition 2008’ at the 2008 PATA Foundation's Annual Charity Gala Dinner held on April 6 at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo.

During the award ceremony, current PATA Chairman, Brian Deeson said of Renton: “ I am happy to present this award to a former staff member of PATA who has throughout the 90’s and in the present, advised and guided me as a member of PATA. He has contributed several innovative programmes in travel and tourism in the Pacific Asia region over the years and continues to display the spirit of PATA in an exemplary manner”. Deeson continued, “It is significant that this award is made in Colombo, where he is currently sharing his expertise in his motherland through Sri Lanka Tourism.” Renton De Alwis has spearheaded sustainable tourism initiatives such as the Earth Lung Project where Sri Lanka strives to be a sovereign state which is carbon clean. It is today a global drive to promote a sustainable and carbon clean tourism structure.

The recent restructuring of Sri Lanka Tourist Board and the resulting involvement of the stake holders of the tourism industry including the private sector has brought in new dynamism & vigour. The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau is now engaged in many initiatives in the key markets they operate to promote Sri Lanka as a “must visit” tourist destination.

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