TUI’s Thomson adds Sri Lanka for next year

Thomson, part of the TUI Group – one of the world’s leading travel companies, is introducing Sri Lanka for winter 2016 and is eyeing up other long haul destinations in Asia and the Caribbean.

Weekly, direct flights to Colombo will operate from London Gatwick on the operator’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft, with various stay and tour options.

Managing Director Nick Longman said customers could choose from a seven-night or four-night discovery tour of the destination, combined with stays in a number of hotels, including the Riu Sri Lanka and the Club Hotel Dolphin. Prices will be released next month.

He also said the destination could become year-round, depending on the success of the winter program.

Meanwhile, the operator is considering Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia along with British Caribbean destinations including Antigua, St Lucia and Barbados.

The announcement came as Thomson and First Choice released the results of a survey of 2,000 adults which showed 77% are happy to travel nine hours or more to reach their ‘dream’ destination.

It also found 89% now travel long haul at least once every five years, and 21% travel long haul every year.

“With other long haul destinations in the pipeline, we expect to see this trend continue as British holidaymakers look to visit new places they may never have been to before,” said Longman.