A Thai delegation, under the patronage of the Deputy Governor of the Tourism Association of Thailand (TAT) Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya is to lead a delegation comprising of 20 Thai media personnel (including the country’s best travel bloggers) and 40 Thai based tour operators. The delegation is expected to arrive in the country on the 27th of this month for a four-day tour.
The main purpose for their visit is to show solidarity with Sri Lanka, send out a positive message that Sri Lanka is safe to travel to. The visit will give an impetus to the tourism sector which has seen a steady momentum in arrivals since April 21st. Tourism was one of the hardest hit industries. However, experts opine that the resilience shown by the industry and its people has amplified efforts by the Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion to showcase Sri Lanka as a top travel destination.
The tour is a result of productive discussions by Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife & Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga, who during an official visit to Thailand last month, extended an invitation for the tour operators to come to Sri Lanka.
“I’m pleased that the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand has accepted my invitation to visit Sri Lanka. I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Thai Tourism delegation led by the Deputy Governor which also comprises top journalists and bloggers from Thailand. Our two countries share many similarities including the cuisine but the most common link is Buddhism. This is why we believe that the Buddhist trail in Sri Lanka will be a popular attraction for the Thai tourist. I’m indebted to Thai Tourism for undertaking this trip at this particular time as it sends a clear message to the world that Sri Lanka is now back to normal and ready to welcome visitors,” said Minister Amaratunga.
During their stay, the delegation is scheduled to visit several attractions in the country. This tour will coincide with a media familiarization tour which will run parallel. The delegation is expected to make stops at the Gangaramaya temple, Kelaniya temple and Deepaduththaramaya, Dambulla, Sigiriya and Temple of the sacred tooth relic, Kandy.
This will also give an opportunity to the Thai journalists to have a better experience and a clearer insight of Sri Lanka’s uniqueness as a travel destination and the diversity of attractions it has to offer tourists.
The tour is organized and sponsored by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB). The TAT delegation will be staying in the country from 27th -29th June, while the media and agent groups will proceed with the FAM trips around the country until the 30th of June to the 1st of July 2019.
The visit will not only showcase the friendship between the two countries but also will be an enormous boost in encouraging more tourist arrivals to the destination, making Sri Lanka get back on track as the number 1 travel destination in the world and a destination enriched with natural and cultural resources.
Moreover, an MOU is to be signed between SLTPB and TAT to promote Bilateral tourism between the countries. In addition to their visit, the delegation will also participate in a press conference a B2B session between Sri Lankan and Thai tour operators and FAM trips for the media and tour operator groups. It will include Exchange of knowledge in best practices in destination marketing, assist in joint promotions in Buddhist trail in Sri Lanka, Technical Assistance in developing cultural experiences for tourists, and to assist in Celebrity /influencer visits from Thailand to Sri Lanka.
Up to May 2019, Tourist arrivals from Thailand were recorded as 4229, and it showcased a change of 26.6 % compared with the same period in last year.
sources : http://www.travelvoice.lk/thai-delegation-extends-solidarity-to-sri-lanka/
