The island country has come up with never-heard-before offers to divert a substantial chunk of Indian footfalls heading to destinations such as Maldives, Dubai and Thailand
Indian travellers are expected to provide much needed fillip to the Srilankan travel industry in the post Covid world. The island country is all set to roll out a red carpet with attractive propositions to tap into the quintessential Indian traveler. The strategy clearly is to divert a substantial chunk of footfalls that currently head to destinations like Maldives, Dubai and Thailand. The hotel chains, the aviation sector and the country’s government agencies are working in close co-ordination to convince the Indian traveler to head to Srilanka.
“Earlier, there were certain bottlenecks, mostly connectivity related, that prevented a lot of Indian travellers to pick Srilanka as a natural holiday choice. Minus those bottlenecks, there is no reason to believe Srilanka will not be a hot favourite for Indians,” says Deepa Harris, hospitality branding expert and founder of Brands we Love.
The country’s national carrier, Srilankan Airlines, has resumed services between Colombo and the various Indian airports. Hyderabad and New Delhi will be connected to Colombo with two direct weekly flights. While Colombo and Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Trivandrum and Cochin will have one direct flight every week
In view of addressing these bottlenecks, one of the first things Srilanka is doing is to aggressively ramp up direct flights from all major Indian airports. The country’s national carrier, Srilankan Airlines, has resumed services between Colombo and the various Indian airports. Hyderabad and New Delhi will be connected to Colombo with two direct weekly flights. While Colombo and Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Trivandrum and Cochin will have one direct flight every week. Its operations out of Chennai and Mumbai will expand up to five times a week while Bangalore will get three direct flights. Depending on traffic that this renewed push generates, connectivity will be further ramped up.
Before the outbreak of the pandemic, the airline operated out of 11 Indian cities over 120 flights a week to Colombo.
Not only has Srilankan Airlines significantly ramped up connectivity, there are also attractive offers for the taking to incentivize travelers. The airline has already announced a time bound buy one get one free offer for Indian Travellers.
“Accessibly and proximity are key drivers. And other fact that the country has natural tourism products which are experientially rich compared to the best in the world,” says Harris.
Not only has Srilankan Airlines significantly ramped up connectivity, there are also attractive offers for the taking to incentivize travelers. The airline has already announced a time bound buy one get one free offer for Indian travelers.
This move has seen an immediate rise in interest from the Indian travellers looking to visit Srilanka. The hotels have been witnessing a sharp rise in the queries made by the Indians.
“We have already started receiving a steady stream of travel requests from India enquiring about short to longer duration holidays, and unique experiences one can choose for a memorable vacation. This underscores the pent-up demand for travelling to Sri Lanka as well. The flight duration and increased connectivity are indeed significant factors that have also been contributing towards this upward trajectory,” says Chamindra Goonewardene, director of sales & marketing at Resplendent Ceylon, a luxury experiential travel company in Srilanka that owns luxury boutique resorts – Ceylon Tea Trails, Cape Weligama and Wild Coast Tented Lodge.
This move has seen an immediate rise in interest from the Indian travellers looking to visit Srilanka. The hotels have been witnessing a sharp rise in the queries made by the Indians.
Aman Resorts that operates two luxury hotels in Srilanka – Amanwella and Amangall, too has witnessed a rise in queries from India. “With Sri Lanka just a short and convenient flight from several locations within India, we anticipate an increase in visitors from this destination in the coming months. We have already started receiving queries from India” says Pantelis Korovilas, general manager, Amanwella.
In another major gesture to endorse its seriousness in on-boarding Indian travellers, Srilanka is also welcoming Co-vaxin vaccinated Indians. This comes at a time when most international destinations, including many Asian countries, have only approved Covidshield vaccinated travellers and awaiting clearer signals from WHO to allow Co-vaxin.
There, however are stipulated travel safety guidelines approved by government authorities, with no minimum stay period requirements. There needs to be a minimum 14 day gap between the second dose and the date of travel. Once an on-arrival test is conducted and declared negative, travellers can move freely around the country. There is no requirement for quarantine for Covid negative travellers on arrival. However, a positive tested traveller will be taken to health care centers run from hotels. All this has been designed to ensure maximum safety for travelers and local communities.
Needless to say, all these efforts by the airlines and government agencies will not bear the desired results, unless the hospitality chains come up with attractive propositions. “End of the day, a traveller is looking for an experience. Of course, hassle free travel is an integral aspect of overall experience, but the stay has a very high weightage while planning a travel,” says Harris.
Resplendent Ceylon is launching specially curated packages for Indian travellers under ‘Tea, Sea and Safari’ journeys while ensuring the safety of its guests at all times with their ‘SafeStay’ initiative implemented across all their resorts.
The hotels are also putting unparalleled attention to detail to appeal particularly to the guests from India.
“Travellers from India often like to have every detail taken care of before, during and after their holiday and usually desire a safe and tranquil environment, where every whim is catered to, ensuring a relaxed and hassle-freetrip,” says Korovilas of Amanwella.
“We are catering to the changed expectations of the current traveller. For example, our approach to design and operations at every property focuses on space as paramount, enabling us to look after a limited number of guests at one time whilst offering expansive accommodation,” he adds.
To further minimise the guest’s exposure with one another, Aman has reduced its already low room count at Amangalla and Amanwella, by skipping a key to maintain social distancing and also encourage guests to enjoy their outdoor experiences, with several more moving al fresco, so that they can reap the healing benefits of nature.
While airlines, countries and hotels will continue to do their bit in extending happy and safe vacations, the buck eventually stops with the tourist. Responsible travel needs to be the keyword, at least in the mid to near future. Safe vacations are now the most important yardstick of luxury. So stay safe, stay happy.
