Ambassador of Sri Lanka, H.E. Ms. Yasoja Gunasekera had a meeting with six of Indonesia’s top tour operators who visited Sri Lanka recently on a Fam Tour sponsored by Thai Airways : Mr. Edlin Mangundap, General Manager of Travelux Travel, Mrs. Ellen Purnawan, General Manager of Panorama Ministry Tour and Travel, Mrs. Rossi, Operational Director of BMW Tour, Mr. David Harris, Senior Manager of HIS Tour and Travel and Mr. Anton Sumarli, Deputy Chairman Indonesia’s Tour and Travel Agencies Association ( Astindo). Mr. Weerawat Swasdibutra , Indonesia Country Manager of Thai Airways also attended the meeting accompanied by Mrs. Serly, Sales Services Manager.
The delegation was in Sri Lanka from 28 July to 2nd August 2019 and visited Dambulla, Sigiriya, Minneriya National Park, The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Galle as well as Colombo. The trip experienced whale watching in Mirissa and visited a Turtle Hatchery in Kosgoda.
Mr. Anton Sumardi said the tour opened the eyes of Indonesia’s tour operator regarding the diversity of Sri Lanka’s heritage and natural beauty .
The hospitality of Sri Lankans, the sceneries and food made the delegation feel like homes as more as many similarities between Sri Lanka and Indonesia in terms of food and cultures.
“ I feel like home but surrounded by Sri Lanka’s beauties and heritages. “ said Anton.
Other participants echoed Mr. Anton adding that they very much enjoyed visited Sigiriya and Dambulla. They were fascinated with the Ayurvedic treatment that they see the unique experience can attract Indonesians to go on holiday to Sri Lanka.
The mix of adventures and unique experiences during a visit to Sri Lanka has made Mr. David Harris from HIS Travel immediately set 7 days tour packages to Sri Lanka to be sold to Indonesians. Mrs. Ellen Purnawan also informed that his tour operator now sells Buddhist Pilgrimage Packages as Panorama see that significant Buddhists in Indonesia could their new market target. The beautiful and historical Temple of the Tooth that Mrs. Ellen enjoyed visiting would be the main attraction for Indonesians pilgrimage.
At the meeting, Mr. Anton of Astindo said that the next year Astindo Fair would have a pilgrimage section in which Buddhist Pilgrimage Package would be sold during the exhibition. For that, Mr. Anton invites the Embassy of Sri Lanka to participate again in the event.
Sri Lanka Ambassador said that the commonality in terms of language, culture, and food between Sri Lanka and Indonesia will make Indonesians enjoy and gain memorable experiences during the holiday in Sri Lanka. She added that now Indonesians could go vacation to Sri Lanka using a free visa on arrival.
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