Red letter day for Sri Lanka Tourism

It was a red letter day for the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau, yesterday when it welcomed the first tourists coming to the country in 2011 at a special ceremony at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake.
Mike Yeoman and his wife Clair Yeoman, engraved their names in Sri Lanka tourism history books by becoming the first two tourists to step on to Sri Lanka soil this year.
The two guests were welcomed with traditional drummers and dancers at the BIA after which they were garlanded and offered surprise gifts. The incoming tourists were also invited to a traditional sweetmeats buffet table with Kiribath and Kavum and also to light the ceremonial oil lamp flagging off the Visit Sri Lanka 2011 campaign.
Mike Yeoman said that they were keen to visit Sri Lanka for a long period but had second thoughts due to the conflict. "The media reports were very adverse," the duo said.
However with dawn of peace they decided to visit Sri Lanka for a period of two weeks.
The couple would patronize the Southern coast and stay at Unawatuna which is classified as one of the top ten beaches in the world.
They will also undertake an excursion to Hambantota to visit the Yala National Park. These two visitors who arrived on board a Singapore Airlines flight were welcomed by Lakshman Yapa Abeywardhana, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism and Malraj Kiriella, Acting Managing Director, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau along with the heads of the tourism and travel trade.
Visit Sri Lanka 2011 was declared by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa after attaining peace in the country and the Sri Lanka Tourism is set to achieve the target of 700,000 tourists in 2011 with the launch of Visit Sri Lanka Year. Sri Lanka Tourism launched Visit Sri Lanka 2011 with 12 theme events spread across the year. The 12 themes will be promoted during each month of 2011, symbolizing the twelve letters in the "Wonder of Asia".
These twelve themes include beaches, sports & adventure, MICE, people & culture, religious tourism, weddings & honeymoons, body & mind wellness, heritage, nature & wildlife, community & education, cuisine, shopping & entertainment.
Sri Lanka Tourism's aim with the campaign is also to get the involvement and the support of the domestic market and to develop these products by the end of the year. The idea is to create a safe and beautiful environment for the visiting tourist.
Sri Lanka was earlier known as a beach destination. However with the events planned for year 2011 and the products created surrounding the events and themes, the intention is to highlight the various products that could cater to different market segments the world over.
Sunday Observer