Sri Lanka embassy in US brings popular Americans to Lanka

The Bottom Line
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The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the United States on Friday brought in 25 well known American media personalities into Sri Lanka on a 9-day visit, a measure which it said could give immense publicity to the island- consequently, a boost for the booming Tourism industry. The set of tourists includes famous film producer, William Bowling (who is a key figure in deciding locations for film shoots) and other popular travel writers on various internet blogs and magazines including Margie Goldsmith, who writes to the website mgproductions.com.

“It is our pleasure to bring this group of American travellers to Sri Lanka, and I look forward to introducing these travellers to our island of unrivalled splendour and our welcoming culture. I know our journey will be an eye-opening experience that will highlight Sri Lanka’s boundless potential,” said Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, who personally accompanied the guests on tour.

The visit is part of a partnership between the Embassy and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, which had launched a programme called ‘Signature Tours’, to promote Sri Lanka as a destination.

“The Embassy plans to arrange Signature Tours on an annual basis,” Wickramasuriya said. The itinerary of this inaugural venture is organised by ‘Sri Lanka Tailor Made’, an arm of leading travel company, Jetwing Travels Private Ltd.

“The 12-day itinerary includes travel from Colombo to the UN World Heritage Site located in the Galle Fort, followed by visits to the renowned countryside and Tea fields of Nuwara Eliya,” Manager- Jetwing’s Sri Lanka Tailor Made, Sriyantha Sampath told The Bottom Line.

Earlier this year, the New York Times named Sri Lanka its number one Travel Destination in 2010, while The National Geographic ranked the island second among its top 25 places to visit this year.

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