Large number of journos to visit Sri Lanka

A congregation of 23 journalists, each representing 23 different press and media enterprises of France and Belgium, is due to arrive in Sri Lanka on January 18 on a familiarisation tour organised by Salaun Holidays, one of the leading tour operators in France.

Initiated by Chairman and Proprietor of Connaissance de Ceylan and Theme Resorts and Spas Chandra Wickramasinghe together with Michel Salaun, Chairman and Proprietor of Salaun Holidays, this ensemble will be the largest to arrive from France since the Easter Sunday setback, according to a company statement.

The company has invested Rs.500 million for this tour. “At a time of need like this, the value of media publicity accompanied by this venture to the country is immeasurable,” said Mr. Wickramasinghe. Further elaborating on his thoughts, he said “the lack of a properly organised marketing drive from the tourism authorities following the Easter attacks has brought upon a huge downfall in the tourism industry. I believe that private initiatives of this nature would immensely contribute in gaining the momentum of the tourist arrivals and provide a boost to the industry.”

He also highlighted the fact that he hopes that the tourism authorities of the country would render their fullest support and assistance in whatever little efforts made by passionate individuals such as he, to see tourism thrive in the island once again.

With over 200 subsidiaries scattered around France, Salaun Holidays has made a recent acquisition of over 50 travel boutiques previously managed by Thomas Cook.

Among the media personnel attending the familiarisation tour are journalists from a number of national and regional newspapers like Le Figaro, France Inter, France Info and also the Telepro weekly Belgian magazine and Ouest-France,L’Est Republicain, La Voix du Nord and Le Telegramme among others includingTourMaG, one of the best-known information portals for tourism professionals selling 656,000 printed copies alone per month and L’Echo Touristique - 256,000 issues sold monthly and Travel Magazine published in Belgium will also be participating in the endeavour in addition to a number of others.