Saturday, September 4, 2010

Yunnan Province boosts reciprocal tourist traffic with Sri Lanka

By Steve A. Morrell

The Peoples Government of the Yunnan Province of China, with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau expect increased interaction to boost tourist traffic between both countries.

China, given its size in land mass and population, account for about 54 million tourists who travel the world seeking leisure said Sri Lanka Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China Amunugama Karunatilleka, addressing the press and participants this week at a press brief convened by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

He said this substantial number who travel the world, could also include Sri Lanka in their travel itinerary. Particularly because both countries, The Yunnan province and Sri Lanka have substantial value additions to visitors from Yunnan Province, as much as what China has to offer to visitors from Sri Lanka .

He said 2011 has been declared the Year of Tourism and it consequently would be beneficial that visitors from both countries absorb what the other has to offer.

Presently three flights operate to Sri Lanka each week ensuring influx of about 150 visitors on each flight. Plans are afoot to increase flight frequency to one each day.

He also said Sri Lanka too should be promoted in Yunnan Province.

Present at the Press conference were Chairman, Yunnan Tourism Association, Yuan Guanghan, Director, SRI LANKA Tourism , Madubani Perera, Director General Yunnan Province Tourism Administration. Yu Deng Cheng, Managing Director, SLT Bureau, Mal Raj Kiriella, and Cai Chung Shen Vice governor, Yunnan Province.

Malraj Kiriella presenting further information on benefits of tourism available to local travelers and foreign tourists said although Sri Lanka was relatively small, contrasting bio diversity within such limited land space was an admirable trait to be enjoyed by all travelers.

He said Sri Lanka has 65,610 square kilometers land. Its beaches and coast line had total space of some 1330 kilometers picturesque land scape.

Historical importance of trade dates back to 8th Century BC. Most recorded history dates back 160 million years.

Similarly, contemporary periods too have yielded many works of importance, that many buildings in and around Colombo too have been declared heritage sites. All such sites are now of tourist value and effectively maintained as such.

source - www.island.lk

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