SriLankan Airlines reports strong growth from Australia to Sri Lanka

SriLankan Airlines is continuing to achieve solid growth from Australia to Sri Lanka, with an average increase of almost 50% in bookings for November, December and through January, 2004.

The carrier’s Regional Manager Australia, Mr Ian Robinson, said bookings for travel from Australia to Sri Lanka during November were up 48 per cent over the same period last year, while December has increased by 55 per cent and January by 43%.

“Sri Lanka has been achieving steady but consistent growth as a holiday destination for Australians,” said Mr Robinson.

“The growing level of enquiries in recent months has been very encouraging, and we are delighted that this is now being supported by bookings, particularly from Eastern Australia.

Mr Robinson said passengers were flying to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, then joining SriLankan’s Airbus flights to Colombo – currently daily from Singapore, and, from 26 November, daily from Kuala Lumpur.

“From Colombo, many passengers are embarking on domestic tours, or continuing on to the Maldives or one of our nine destinations in India and Pakistan,” said Mr Robinson.

“We are working with our travel industry partners in Australia to promote Sri Lanka not only as an emerging market for holidaymakers, but as a quality market for the growing luxury travel segment,” he said.

“We are also exploring a range of new opportunities to develop high yield tourism in Sri Lanka, details of which will be announced soon.”