Tourism industry “No No’s” John on CNN campaign

Amidst opposition from the tourism industry, Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga is likely to forge ahead with an advertising campaign on CNN costing US$650,000. This will be an interim campaign as the digital campaign continues to be further delayed despite the sacking of the Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Udaya Nanayakkara who was cited as the reason for the process being held up.

Industry leaders opine that what is required today is fast-tracking the digital marketing campaign in a bid to boost tourist arrivals to the country and not an advertising campaign on international news media channels that was unlikely to reach its target audience.

Minister Amaratunga

Directors of SriLankan Airlines, who sent in their resignations to the Government some weeks ago, held their usual board meeting on Thursday. Details of the meeting were not available.

had proposed to the industry at various forums to carry out this interim campaign to which the industry had opposed noting that “it is not the proper thing for the destination.”

It was pointed out visitors from Sri Lanka’s source markets like Germany, UK, France, China and India were not viewers of CNN.

The industry had also informed the minister that it would be better to hold onto that money, and come up with the digital plan.

SRILANKAN DIRECTORS STILL ABOARD!