30 leading tour operators from Germany subsequent to a round trip in Sri Lanka collectively announced in one voice of their fondness to promote Sri Lanka in Germany and swore and assured to send large numbers of tourist groups to the Island nation throughout this year. They revealed it at a post-tour evaluation forum held at Cinnamon Bentota Beach yesterday conducted by House of Travels - HOT Tourism Destination Insider in association with PATA German Chapter, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau and Sri Lankan Airlines.
The forum was moderated by Fredric Schepsky, German Coordinator of HOT Tourism and Contracting Manager of FTI Group Germany. The panel included Christian Handschell PATA German Chapter Head and Managing Director of WORTER.SEE, Prof. D.A.C. Suranga Silva of University of Colombo, Dushan Wickramasuriya Director Marketing of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sharadha Senevirathne Country Manager Germany, Nalin Malwenna Managing Director, Harsha Wickramanayake General Manager of HOT Tourism and Ilias Vamvakas Area Vice President of Cinnamon Resorts.
Annette Wortel of Risen Awortel said she was amazed and mesmerized about Sri Lanka and said immediately when she get back to Germany she will organize a group tour to Sri Lanka. Carmen Sohenk of Deutsches Reiseburo said “Sri Lanka is THE destination of their immediate next group. Barbel Bosner of Reiseburo Bosner said among the locations visited there’s none to be second and they enjoyed forests, hill country and beaches. Stefan M. Kopp of Stafan MK Travel said his clients are all elderly tourists and he would prefer to promote single properties by the beach for a minimum of a week’s stay.
Among the journalists who accompanied the tour, Herbert Derichs of Sonnenklar TV said the scenic surrounding of the hill country is beyond expectations. A Radio Journalist Christian Schmitt was highly impressed about the smiling faces and the cordial relations of the Sri Lankan people while a famous Blogger Julia Floss said the wide range of Sri Lankan food is delicious and she will release a Vlog on the Flavours of Sri Lanka. Elena Voltaire, German based Sales Manager of Sri Lankan Airlines said that several trade and consumer promotions are scheduled in Germany during this year and she will mainly focus on approaching the high end niche segment to visit Sri Lanka. “Germany is a key market for Sri Lanka Tourism and with the arrival of the delegation of tour operators we are certain of a considerable passenger generation through the direct flights operated by Sri Lankan Airlines. As we operate the National Carrier, we are committed to serve the nation by promoting tourism at our cost.
We will promote Wellness Tourism and Adventure Sports in addition to traditional tourism” said Sharadha Senevirathne, SriLankan Airlines Manager of Germany. Nalin Malwenna Managing Director of HOT Tourism said they took the initiative of organizing the delegation of German tour operators to arrive here last week and to take them on a round trip to some strategic locations in the country to Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella and Galle to familiarize with Sri Lanka’s culture, nature and beauty. He said each and every one of the group was delighted of their travel, stay, food and the warmth offered by Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, Amaya Hills Kandy, Araliya Green Nuwara Eliya, Cinnamon Beach Bentota, Avani Resort Bentota and Captain Gunnis Restaurant, Hikkaduwa. Gamunu Rathnayake of HOT Tourism was coordinating the whole tour.
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