The Hindu Business Line : Lanka launches post-tsunami drive to woo tourists

Mr Sumith Nakandala, Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in South India, said the coastal areas were badly affected by the tsunami and this campaign would highlight the other places of tourism interest such as the hill stations and the World Heritage sites not affected by the disaster.

He was speaking at a meeting organised by Chennai-based tour operators in association with Sri Lankan High Commission.

The tour operators are back to promoting Sri Lanka as a weekend getaway and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition) destination.

After the tsunami disaster, there was a 60 per cent drop in the tourist arrivals from India and 50 per cent from other parts of the world.

Mr Nakandala said reconstruction was under way along the coast damaged by the tsunami. The Sri Lankan Government will be able to come out with total estimate of the damage within two weeks.

The resort towns will be planned taking zoning regulations and the needs of the community. The focus would be on sustainable tourism.

WHO has said there is no spread or outbreak of disease on the island. The Sri Lanka Tourism Board has created a Web site, Bouncebacksrilanka.org, to provide information on the country.

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Lanka launches post-tsunami drive to woo tourists