“Sri Lanka is one of the most attractive destinations in the region”

• Raffles Leisure General Manager Rohan Jayasinghe speaks on tourism and their journey so far and beyond. Following are excerpts:

Q: What do you think of the present tourism prospects in Sri Lanka?
A: Tourism in Asia and the Asia Pacific region as a whole is growing despite economical down turn in the European sector. Sri Lanka is one of the most attractive destinations in the region and is reaping the harvest of peace after ending three decades of terror in the country. This can be seen all over the island including the once troubled north and east.
Q: What are your thoughts on the increased global destination marketing campaigns of Sri Lanka?
A: It is very important to make a positive image with a global awareness. We as a Destination Management Company (DMC) do our part of promotions through our partners overseas. The promotions are done through print and digital media, including workshop presentations for retail agents in Europe which is done in many cities during the summer season. Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Ministry of Economic Development, both of which oversee the functions of the Tourism Ministry are also doing their part according to budgetary allocations and we have found it to be very effective.
Q: If you had to name three big trends in the industry in a local context, what would they be?
A: Going back in time during the period of instability in the country, the arrivals were still very satisfactory especially from Europe where in some seasons had three charter flights per week, despite adversity and exaggeration among travel advisories and also the negative publicity the country experienced globally. However, with the current European economic situation most of the charter flights from Germany and Italy have temporarily halted its operations.
The new emerging markets are China, East Europe, and Russia. But with the situation in Ukraine the arrivals have dwindled to a stop, and we will not be able to predict as to when it will be normal again.
Q: How has the journey of Raffles Leisure been so far?
A: I took over operations around three and a half years back with the backing of Oscar Wanigasekera and Tony Bohoran, both of who are equal shareholders of the company boasting over three decades of experience in the industry. With my knowledge and experience spanning over 25 years, I could proudly say that we have achieved what most of the new companies are still trying to achieve.
We have recruited and trained both local and foreign staffs that show exceptional skills in marketing tour planning. We hold our heads high and we are proud to say that we built our business relationships with foreign travel agents through intense marketing activities. We have not undercut any business from our competitors, and we’ve have proudly built the business on our own.
Q: What are the markets it mainly serves?
A: Though being an SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) we have managed to handle large groups, similar the big players in the industry. We are stronger in the Austrian market, having just broken in to the Chinese market, also having signed agreements with up-market travel agents in Hong Kong and in several other Chinese provinces. I’d also further say that we are one of the main competitors in shore excursion services for the cruise market and we were instrumental in organising and handling of the first cruise ship that called over at the Magampura port last December. Our services are extended to markets such as Chez republic, UAE, Bangladesh, Swiss, Italy, France and US.
Q: Sri Lanka is a cultural destination for tourists across the world; what does Raffles Leisure offer?
A: We offer a wide range of products starting with cultural, adventure, wild life, beach through to also facilitating incentives and conferences, also having specialised in study tours of various segments.
Q: What are the other activities Raffles Leisure presently has in store?
A: Apart from the previously mentioned range of products we offer, we are into innovation currently which I’m afraid cannot be publicised at this juncture.
Q: In the future, what more does it hope to do and how would you achieve this in brief?
A: We are in the process of negotiating to operate a charter flight from China and we are aiming high to be the market leader in handling cruise ships in Sri Lanka.
My vision is to take Raffles Leisure in to its next level as a large scale service provider in the industry and to be one of the top 10 tour operators in the island. Having the backing of Tony Bohoran and Oscar I am confident that by winter 2015 we will be able to achieve this as team.
Q: If you have a piece of advice to travel executives, what would that be?
A: Be passionate, creative, and innovative. And beyond all the word ‘no’ should be ignored whilst offering new programs and activities to the foreign markets. This is the time where the country sets in for a new era in tourism and being proactive is key to winning in the industry.