Sri Lanka Targets Flashpackers and Youth Travel

Interesting article on the Sri Lanka Daily Mirror titled Regaining the Youth Market for Sri Lanka Tourism.

Some excerpts:

Figure no. 1 explains the drop in arrivals from the age group of 20-30 years from all markets from 2003-2006. There is a drop of 30% in 2006 (compared to 2003) which represent a loss of 45,000 pax or 450,000 million room nights which in turn, translates nto a loss of US$ 36,000,000.

Sri Lanka Tourisms’ ideal target audience will be flash-packers with special attention to Serial and Career Gappers. It will provide a competitive advantage over other destinations.

The main form of accommodation for young travelers continues to be hostels. Even though Sri Lanka does not have such hostels there is similar lodging termed “guest-houses”.

Today one of the biggest challenges for Sri Lanka Tourism is to overcome the perception created among travelers on the security situation and safety.

This study confirms that young people are relatively fearless travelers. Only about 3% of respondents indicated that they had delayed their trip abroad because of terrorism, crime, political instability or other problems.

Full article

Official tourism board