Sri Lanka to help Germany’s Condor maintain flights

Aug 23, 2008 (LBO) - Sri Lanka tourism promotion office said it is negotiating lower airport fees and providing marketing support to keep Germany's Condor charter flying to the country, during the 2008 winter season. "Condor’s uninterrupted operation every fortnight to Colombo will ensure a steady flow of German visitors to Sri Lanka," Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau managing director, Dileep Mudadeniya said in a statement.

"Sri Lanka Tourism having agreed to provide concessions in landing and handling charges, are currently engaged in discussions with Condor and their local agents Walkers Tours to carry out a joint marketing campaign to boost consumer sales to Sri Lanka."

Charter flights from Condor Airlines, which is owned by Thomas Gook AG, will start from November, the statement said.

Sri Lanka Tourism is to conduct joint promotions with Condor, such as teaser campaigns, info banners, advertising campaigns, video on board and in-flight magazine highlighting tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.

In the six months to June 2008, 17,300 Germans visited Sri Lanka up 4.3 percent from last year. UK has been the top Western European generating market for Sri Lanka this year with 39,500 visitors.