Lanka outpaces Maldives in tourist arrivals

Sri Lanka recorded a 16.5% Yearon-Year growth in tourist arrivals for the period from January to November 2012 attracting 883,353 tourists, outstripping Maldives, a key tourist attraction in the South Asian region.

Maldives only managed to attract 866,310 tourists during the JanuaryNovember period with a mere 2.4% growth, monthly bulletins released by relevant tourism authorities showed. With regard to Maldivian tourist arrivals, China accounted for almost a quarter of total cumulative arrivals, more than double the size of next largest market Germany.

During the same period last year, Sri Lanka and Maldives recorded tourist arrivals of 758,458 and 845,732, respectively.

In November 2012 alone, Sri Lanka attracted 109, 202 tourists with a YoY 20.1% increase, up from 90,889 arrivals in November 2011.

All markets demonstrated positive growth both during the first eleven months up to November and November except Middle East (ME) where arrivals dropped by 4.8% and 22.4% respectively to record 6,151.

According to the arrival data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) for January-November 2012, one quarter of the tourist arrivals represented South Asian region with 220,114 arrivals while India leading the pack with 157,399. Nevertheless the region recorded the lowest YoY growth of 3.9%.

Despite the sovereign debt crisis and the highest unemployment in the Western Europe, 35, 892 tourists travelled to Sri Lanka in November recording a 17.2% YoY growth.

The region accounted for 329,364 arrivals in the first eleven months, the highest number of tourists to the country with an approximately 37% share.

However, it is expected that the 17% YoY growth for the first eleven months to come under pressure in the months to come due to the negative economic conditions prevailing in the Eurozone.

With regard to Western Europe, the highest number of visitors were from the UK amounting 101, 357 with a YoY growth of 5.6%. Visitors from China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan led the East Asian pack to attract 115,672 arrivals for the first eleven months, recording a YoY growth of 34.6%.

It is expected that the global tourism industry which has a total of one billion outbound tourists and a US $ 3.4 billion daily revenue, will be driven predominantly by Asia in the years to come.

On December 18, Sri Lanka welcomed her 950,000 visitor accomplishing the annual target for 2012. The SLTDA is optimistic about the one million tourist arrivals target in 2012, that would yield a revenue exceeding $1 billion, up from last year’s record $830.3 million.

Meanwhile revenue from tourism rose 22.1 percent to $790.1 million in the first 10 months of 2012, over the same period last year.

Emirates to fly double daily to Mauritius

Emirates, one of the fastest growing international airlines, has announced the addition of three frequencies to its present 11-weekly flights to Mauritius. The service to the paradise island will be double daily beginning December 2, 2012.

The 12th weekly flight was introduced on October 31 and two further frequencies will be added on December 2. They will be serviced by a Boeing 777-300 in a three-class configuration.

Emirates flight EK3705 will depart Dubai at 1000hrs arriving in Mauritius at 1645hrs. The return journey from Mauritius, EK3706 will depart at 1820hrs arriving in Dubai at 0110hrs, the following day.

“The increase in frequencies will undoubtedly create more opportunities for the Mauritian tourism sector and local economy,” explained Emirates’ Senior Vice-President, West Asia Indian Ocean Ahmed Khoory. The island destination is very popular throughout our network and double daily flights will offer even more flexibility to travellers.”

In January this year, Emirates and the government of Mauritius signed an agreement aimed at jointly promoting the island destination across the airline’s global network. The two parties have engaged in the development of a series of joint activities to increase the visibility and awareness around the island in the 126 destinations to which the airline flies.

“The island destination is an important one for Emirates. We have committed ourselves towards promoting Mauritius and we will drive our efforts in this direction as the island becomes more accessible,” added Khoory.

964,642 tourists visited Mauritius in 2011, representing an increase of 3.2% over the previous year. European tourists accounted for 63.2% of total tourist arrivals with France being the leading market for the island.

Winner of over 500 international awards, Emirates’ unique service offering includes complimentary chauffeur-driven airport transfers for premium customers and an inflight entertainment system featuring over 1,400 channels of new release Hollywood movies, TV, music and games.

With a fast-growing fleet of 188 aircraft, Emirates is the largest operator of A380 and B777 aircraft in the world. The airline currently flies to 126 destinations in 74 countries.

Cathay Pacific introduces ‘Getaway Surprise to China’

Witness the marvels of one of the world’s oldest civilizations as Cathay Pacific Airways brings travellers an exciting ‘Getaway Surprise to China’.

Ranked among the top travel destinations in the world, China is renowned for its scenic landscapes, delicious and diverse cuisine, and wonderful folk art and opera which form the basis of its rich cultural heritage.

Cathay Pacific provides an opportunity for travellers to make the most of an adventurous excursion to this famed destination through ‘Getaway Surprise to China’. Travellers can purchase special Economy and Business Class tickets to Beijing and Shanghai until the December 31 and travel until April 30, 2013.

“We seek to add value to our passengers’ travel options in the coming months, as well as through our world-class inflight services,” comments Cathay Pacific Airways, Colombo Sales and Marketing Manager Ruhan Abbas.

“The frequency and schedules of our flights to Shanghai and Beijing also enable travellers to make the most of their trip.”

Cathay Pacific Airways is represented by Finlays Colombo PLC as general sales agent. For more details regarding this offer, call the Cathay Pacific Colombo office on 2303514/5 or your preferred travel agent.