Sri Lanka Tourism should re-think and reposition Sri Lanka mainly to attract younger tourists former MP Namal Rajapaksa yesterday addressing the inauguration of Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Travel Operators (SLAITO) Youth at the Ramada Hotel.

He said the global post COVID-19 is focusing more on youth travel and Sri Lanka too should try to woo this market. He said that there is also demand and keenness from tourists to visit countries that adopt environmental practices and this too should be given thought when destination marketing plans are formulated. Youth are also Tech Savvy and marketing tools should be devoid considering this aspect as well. Packages should be formulated to have longer ‘room nights’

The COVID-19 had a severe impact on senior citizens and this is why more youth will travel in the future. The post COVID youth tourism market value was more than US$ 400 billion.

When China opened its doors for domestic tourism 60% of travellers were youth under 30.

Rajapaksa also said Sri Lanka also has to invest more to provide infrastructure for tourists and have to look beyond investing on building hotel room. “Sri Lanka has to look at redeveloping the airport and port network to expand the entry of tourists to Sri Lanka.”

Meanwhile in a bid to get more youth decision making for the local tourism sector, the SLAITO Youth body was inaugurated with 35 members.

SLAITO Youth will endeavor to improve the sustainability of the tourism industry through industrywide initiatives to reduce the use of single use plastics as well as reducing the tourisms impact on our wild life, parks, coral reefs and our environment in general.

The importance of working with foreign tour operators will also be a topic of discussion during their outreach as studies have shown that 65% of tourists visiting the country are said to have booked their trip through a DMC in the recent past. In addition, they also hope to increase the reach of our digital communication by using digital mediums such as Social Media, Webinars and blogs to educate and promote our country about all we have to offer to international and local stakeholders alike.

Mandrinee Nanayakkara, was elected President SLAITO Youth.

Source: Dailynews