Air Seychelles makes inaugural flight to Colombo; SL Tourism to host familiarisation tours

Sri Lanka Tourism yesterday welcomed the inaugural flight ‘Air Seychelles’ from Seychelles to Colombo carrying 110 passengers. 

This flight, HM262 operated by an Airbus A320 Neo aircraft touched ground at 3:50 a.m. and was welcomed by a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival at BIA followed by a traditional Kandyan dance performance and an inaugural ceremony to welcome the guests. 

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) said passengers of inaugural flight were very much impressed with the warm welcome they received and also the colourful dance performance, which highlighted the unique Sri Lankan hospitality the island paradise was world renowned for.  

Air Seychelles Acting CEO Sandy Benoiton, Head of Commercial Nicole Mancienne, Seychelles Principal Secretary Tourism Sherin Francis, Director Tourism Seychelles Bernadette Willemin and  Market Officer for American and African Regions Danojani Weerasinghe were present the occasion.

Following with the inaugural flight operations there will be two flights operating weekly. In order to create greater awareness about Sri Lanka as a tourist destination, Sri Lanka Tourism is arranging two familiarisation tours for trade and media partners from Seychelles and South Africa collaborating with Aitken Spence PLC. 

“This initiative is expected to create more awareness about Sri Lanka and its position as a unique travel destination, and generate more tourist arrivals from these nations, further developing their respective bilateral and business partnerships,” SLTPB added.