Author: Agencies
Publication: ExpressIndia.com
Date: September 24, 2008
URL: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Sri-Lanka-wooing-Indian-tourists-with-Ramayana-package/365400/
Sri Lanka is wooing Indian tourists with 'Ramayana
Package', which promises to take visitors across the island nation on Lord
Rama's trail.
Launched by Sri Lankan airlines in collaboration
with Lankan tourism board, the package is gaining popularity in India with
airlines targeting to sell about 5,000 tour packages by next year.
While the seven-day package includes visit
to at least 10 temples in south and central Sri Lanka, the 12-day package
covers at least 54 sites identified by the board, Sri Lankan Airlines Kerala
Manager Samantha Nagahawatte said.
The potential of the package is enormous as
India was by and large a Hindu population, he said adding the 'entire Hindu
community is our market'.
About 500 passengers have used 350 Ramayana
packages in the last 3 months. Launched in February this year in the northern
India, the response has so far been encouraging, he said.
Middle-aged and elderly visitors from the
northern states have taken a liking to the package, the official said.
The package would be promoted through tour
operators and channel partners, he said.
