COLOMBO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Tourism Ministry on Wednesday said it had formulated a five-year tourism marketing master plan which would boost the industry and increase arrivals to the island country.
Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando, quoted in local media said the master plan would be conducted and executed in stages and the global and digital marketing segments would be likely given out after calling for international tenders.
Fernando said initially the Tier I marketing campaign would be launched in major tourism scoring destinations such as Germany, France, China and India while Tier 2 would be launched in the mid part of 2020.
"President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has identified tourism as a major thrust area for development and this time the marketing campaign would be a reality," Fernando said.
"Sri Lanka Tourism is gearing for exciting times. I know there is a lot to do but we are looking forward to realize our goals together as an industry despite challenges," Fernando said.
Tourism has emerged as one of the leading markets for Sri Lanka following the end of the island's civil conflict in 2009.
Last year, Sri Lanka attracted over 1.9 million tourists with India, China and Britain being the leading markets.
