Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Tuesday, Jul 16, 2002
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Tuesday, Jul 16, 2002 |
|
|
|
|
|
Industry & Economy
-
Tourism Logistics - Airlines Lanka expects tourist flow from India to double Our Bureau
(From left) Mr Gamini Lokuge, Minister for Tourism, Sri Lanka, Mr Daya Pelpola, Chairman, SriLankan Airlines, and Mr G.T. Jayaseelan, Head of Commercial, SriLankan Airlines, at a press conference in Bangalore on Monday.
BANGALORE, July 15 ARRIVALS of Indian tourists into Sri Lanka are expected to more than double this year from last year's 34,000 tourists. The optimism comes despite LTTE problems and the island-nation has recorded arrivals of 37,700 from January to June this year, according to the Sri Lankan Tourism Minister, Mr Gamini Lokuge. Addressing a press conference after arriving here on the inaugural flight of the SriLankan Airlines from Colombo today, the Minister said the situation in his country had improved tremendously and there was no restrictions on movement except in the northern region. He expected the situation to improve further, with the proposed peace talks with the LTTE next month. "We are confident that we will sort out the issues," he said. The overall arrivals into Sri Lanka were showing an encouraging trend, with the number expected to touch 1 lakh next year. With more and more Indians preferring Sri Lanka as a tourist destination, the SriLankan Airlines is making a pitch for more gateways from the six at present. The airline hoped to commence service from Bodh Gaya this year-end. It was awaiting the Indian Government's approval for direct links between Colombo and Hyderabad and Kochi, Mr Daya Pelpola, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines, said. SriLankan Airlines is the fourth international carrier to start a direct flight from Bangalore. The Royal Nepal Airlines, Malaysian Airlines and Lufthansa commenced their operations over the last two years. Chennai with 12 weekly flights is the major gateway for the airline followed by Thiruvananthapuram (seven), Tiruchi (six), Delhi and Mumbai and Bangalore (three each).
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail
|
Stories in this Section |
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | Home |
Copyright © 2002, The
Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu Business Line
|