SriLankan Airlines in an endeavour to support the country’s tourism revival efforts whilst fortifying connectivity in its single largest market, India, has embarked on a mega fam tour of top bloggers and social influencers touring Sri Lanka on specially curated itineraries.
Accordingly, the fam tour featured 50 top bloggers from India’s metros, with the first batch containing 25 bloggers concluding their tour, whilst the second batch of 25 embarked on theirs. The carefully-curated itineraries feature Sri Lanka’s rich ecological and cultural vibrancy entwined with the inherent island attributes of authentic village life, wellness and hospitality.
The bloggers who travelled on one itinerary explored Negombo, Kataragama, Yala, Galle Dutch Fort, Handunugoda Tea Estate and Cinnamon Plantation and Colombo.
The other group visited Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, Seetha Amman Temple, Labukele Tea Factory, Nuwara Eliya town, hike of Mini Adam’s Peak, Ella, Nine Arch Bridge, Rawana Falls, Yala, Galle and Colombo.
Both the groups toured the country’s second international airport, MRIA and visited SriLankan Airlines premises, during which they were able to witness first-hand the airline’s training facility, SriLankan Aviation College, where the world-renowned onboard service takes shape, the flight kitchen which caters to all international airlines operating to Sri Lanka, the engineering hangar which is a regional hub for Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services and Simulator Centre, which gave them the experience of a flight deck.
Their stories of travel have already reached millions of their individual followers of aspirant travellers in India. Accordingly, #NamastefromSriLanka will continue to reach the discerning Indian travellers with travel inspiration through these high-profile bloggers.
The two batches of bloggers also met with Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga, State Minister of Aviation and Export Zones Development D.V. Chanaka and SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage with whom they exchanged their sentiments on Sri Lanka’s destination experience.
SriLankan Airlines is aptly supported by Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and the collaboration translates to hospitality services and logistics of the entire tour being provided by the SLAITO members, allowing the touring bloggers to experience first-hand the luxuries and authenticity of the island hospitality at a range of properties, whilst preserving the highest level of health, safety and wellbeing.
Some of the partners include Andrew the Travel Company Ltd., Lanka Sportreizen, Aitken Spence Travels, Wayfarers Ltd. Sri Lanka, Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Oak Ray Ella Gap, Big Game Camp Yala, Taj Bentota Resort & Spa, Movenpick Colombo, Jetwing Beach, Insight Resort and Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts.
The airline has embarked on this endeavour to promote the country’s tourism industry through inspiring travel from India, which is one of the top tourism generating markets for Sri Lanka, thereby helping secure livelihoods of millions that depend on tourism and bringing in much-needed foreign exchange.
