The Synergy between Sri Lanka and Maldives


Maldives
PUBLISHED December 19, 2019

Sri Lanka and the Maldives are both blessed with abundant sunlight and are both amongst the Highest GDP per capita countries in South Asia. The Two countries have for centuries built a close relationship with each other. The people from both countries travel frequently between Maldives and Sri Lanka and also a lot of Maldivians travel to Sri Lanka for education, healthcare and other business purposes. A lot of Sri Lankan corporates have offices and hotels in the Maldives. This bond gets stronger every year but there is one area which has not been touched upon yet and that is the Joint promotion of Tourism.

 

Maldives

The Maldives has one of the most immaculate beaches in the World and welcomed 1.4 Million tourists in 2018. The Tourism sector is the predominant source of income for the majority of Maldivians. It's a sector that is thriving and will continue to boom with the rising number of Chinese tourists and the Mega project that is underway at the Velana International Airport which will be sure to boost tourism in the Maldives.

 


Velana International Airport

 

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a complete package. Ranging from beautiful beaches to mountains to cultural sites, Sri Lanka truly has a lot to offer. 2.3 Million Tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2018 and the New Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Kimarli Fernando remains bullish about achieving Tourist arrival targets in 2020. Sri Lanka was recently featured as the Number One Destination to visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet.

Sri Lanka and the Maldives together can achieve a lot in promoting Tourism together. A Joint Tourism association can be set up to further enhance this bond and to share ideas. A good example is Malaysia and Singapore and how Tourists travel to both countries before departing. Most travel operators promote Singapore and Malaysia together as is the case with European destinations where packages promote France, Spain and Italy to provide travellers the diverse options of picturesque mountains and beaches together.

Sri Lanka can suggest the tourists who visit to finish off their holiday by travelling to Maldives which is so close to Sri Lanka. The Maldives can gain a lot by promoting Sri Lanka as most tourists nowadays prefer cultural sites and picturesque mountains which are available in Sri Lanka. A joint tour package therefore will offer travellers a wide array of choices to choose from both countries.

The Port City is coming up which is a Multi Billion Dollar Investment project in Colombo by CHEC. The Shangri La Group recently opened a Mega mall called One Galle Face with 480,000 sq ft of Retail space. This will certainly boost Tourism in the area and promote South Asia as a brand and gradually all neighbouring countries will profit as well.

 


Port City Colombo

Tourism is certainly going to boom around the world as more travellers seek to explore new areas and Chinese travellers now are the largest travelling group country wise. With social media changing the marketing paradigms around the world, an effective Digital Marketing campaign will be sure to attract more quality Tourists to visit Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The Synergy needs to be revamped for the benefit of both countries. 


Contributor


Thasim Rafi

Director at Venture Green Pvt Ltd

International Sustainable Tourism Consultant

E: thasimrafi@gmail.com

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