“Get Sri Lankan’ed” kicks off in style with media launch in Mumbai

Sri Lanka Tourism’s second three -day mega promotional campaign named “Get Sri Lanken’ed”  kicked off in style in the city of Mumbai on 10 May, with a high profile media conference held in Taj Lands End Hotel Salcette, Mumbai.

The press conference was the first of series of events lined up under the “Get SriLankan’ed” promotional campaign of Sri Lanka Tourism, implemented with the aim of positioning Sri Lanka as a most sought-after travel destination in emerging markets of the world.

Organised with joint efforts from Public and Private sectors, the “Get Sri Lankaned” campaign has been initiated under the advice of President Mahinda Rajapaksa inspired by the vision of developing a sustainable tourism industry in Sri Lanka.

During the press conference the Indian media was briefed about the objective of the promotional campaign and the nature of events scheduled to take place from 17 to 20 May in Mumbai. The press conference was graced by Deputy Minister of Economic Development Muthu Sivalingam, Sri Lanka Tourism Brand Ambassador, MP Sanath Jayasuriya, Honorary Consul in Mumbai Upekka Samaratunga, Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Bhashwara Gunaratna, Sri Lanka Tourism Managing Director Rumay Jauffer, Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education Douglas Nanayakkara and Taj Group of Hotels General Manager Rohit Khosla.

The press conference held in Mumbai was able to attract more than 120 high profile media from the leading publications and broadcasters including Hindustan Times, Indian Express, DNA, Mumbai Mirror, Bombay Times, New Indian Express, Deccan Herald, Financial Express, The Hindu, NDTV, CNN –IBN, India News, Zee TV, Live India etc. creating wide coverage for the event by the Indian Media. The event was graced with the traditional Sri Lankan dance performances of the Western province dance group that captured everyone’s attention during the event.

Addressing the gathering the Deputy Minister Muthu Sivalingam noted that India and Sri Lanka have many similarities as Asian Nations and the long standing relationship they have as close neighbours creates immense opportunities for both countries to share common interests, values and develop socio-economic ties with each other. “We would like to call India our dearest friend,” remarked the Minister emphasising the good will existing between the two countries. He also stressed the giant efforts put into developing tourism industry by the government of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Economic Development, and it is time to reap the benefits of the tourism industry of Sri Lanka.  

Tourism Brand Ambassador and MP Sanath Jayasuriya, captured the center of attention of the media during the press conference and in his speech stated: “I am glad to be in India on a different mission to cricket, my country has always supported me throughout my career as a cricketer and I am inviting all my media friends here today to help us promote Sri Lanka in India to enhance the relationship of both nations. I am here to bat for my countries tourism. As Mumbai is like a second home to me.”

Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Bhashwara Gunarathna addressing the media explained the rationale behind launching the “Get Sri Lankaned” campaign in India and how Sri Lanka Tourism plans to achieve the maximum influx of Indian tourists from the Indian market.

“According to UNWTO reports Indian outbound tourists will rise to 50 million in 2020. Sri Lanka’s target is to attract 400,000 Indian tourists by the year 2016; thus helping to reach the goal of 2.5 million arrivals by year 2016.”

Gunaratna also said: “We are thankful to the President and Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapakse for the continuous guidance provided to carry out promotional campaigns of this nature to develop the travel and tourism industry of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga adding his thoughts on the promotional campaign said that both India and Sri Lanka are now in a position to create greater advancement in their common interests beyond cricket and tourism is one major source of linking the two countries together.  

“We are here today because we can ensure that our country is a great destination to travel, than 10 years back, where the picture was a different one.”

Sri Lanka’s Honorary Consul General in Mumbai Upekka Samaratunga speaking during the conference highlighted the strong diplomatic relations existing between the two countries and the strategic advantages of targeting the Indian market for travel and tourism development in Sri Lanka. She noted the Mumbai has high potential for tourism growth being the economic and industrial hub of India and housing the wealthiest people who are frequent travellers and investors in many avenues of the travel trade.

Sri Lanka Tourism Managing Director Rumy Jauffer with a detailed presentation explained to the media how the three-day Mumbai promotional campaign is planned to be executed in Mumbai from 17 to 20 May and the events that would take place during the period.

All activities including the Sri Lankan cultural show, the Sri Lankan food festivals, B2B meetings between the travel trades of the two countries and business seminars etc. will be launched at the Taj Land’s End in Mumbai from 10 to 17 May onwards.

The events will showcase over 50 Sri Lankan public and private sector institutions, representing tourism, trade and investment in their joint efforts to create a single collaborative platform for promoting travel, trade and investments of Sri Lanka.