With LTTE out of the way, Indian tourists eye Sri Lanka

By Swati Anand

(August 21, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian)Rahul Chittyana had planned a holiday to Sri Lanka with his wife Rachna in January. Tickets were almost booked and reservations were made online. But given the precarious army versus LTTE situation at that point in time, the 30-something couple cancelled their vacation. When LTTE chief Prabhakaran was found dead in May, Chittyana waited for all the buzz around the news to die down. And in July, made all his bookings and took off by month-end.

“That Prabhakaran was found dead and the war between the Sri Lankan Army and LTTE was declared over gave us immense reassurance that it was finally safe for us to venture into that country,” says Chittyana (33), a Bangalore-based PR professional.

Sri Lanka’s ‘post LTTE’ status has earned it hordes of tourists from India, who were enamoured by its beauty but scared away by its tension. “In July-August, we saw an increase of almost 30 per cent in the traffic from India to Sri Lanka,” says Sharuka Wickrama-Adittiya, manager, Sri Lankan Airlines. “The tourist flow has been particularly high from the Chennai circuit and we’re expecting things to brighten up further in September-October.”

Sri Lanka has always been a favoured destination for Indians given its proximity, good connectivity with various airlines and a hassle-free visa on arrival status for Indian nationals. Besides, the Indian Rupee has great value in Sri Lanka — Re 1 is approximately Sri Lankan Rs 2.35. Chittyana, for instance, lived it up in five-star hotels and villa properties across Sri Lanka for eight nights and flew Kingfisher, all at a bill of Rs 50,000.

“Sri Lanka is preferred by families, DINKS (double income no kids couples) and honeymooners,” says Kashmira Commissariat, COO (outbound division), Kuoni India. Kuoni has seen a spurt in travel post June, but says it has yet to put a figure to the growth. “Inquiries are on the rise, especially during the present scenario of the economic growth, where people are looking for economic and short distance destinations holidays,” says Vishal Suri, COO (Leisure – Outbound), Thomas Cook India.

With tourists making a beeline for the teardrop neighbour, the market is abuzz with competitive packages. Kuoni’s package which includes return airfare, airport taxes, transfers, accommodation for two nights with breakfast at the Taj Samudra, a city tour and casino coupons all for Rs 12,237 (ex-Chennai) per person on a double sharing basis. Sri Lankan Holidays has various packages catering to a whole host of customers – right from weekend getaways (that start at Rs 12,000 per person which include airfare plus taxes, transfers, and accommodation and breakfast in a 4 or 5 star hotel) to adventure holidays for those interested in water sports to corporates looking for affordable off-site destinations.

Thomas Cook has a five night-six day package that covers accommodation and breakfast in Colombo, Kandy, Sigiriya and Bentota plus return airfare for about Rs 49,000 per person. “Cultural attractions, entertainment, shopping and fine dining are enjoyed by Indian travellers. Often customers who want to travel during long weekends and do not have time to plan something at short notice opt for Sri Lanka,” says Commissariat.

-Sri Lanka Guardian