In the backdrop of tourism visitor arrivals growing by 14.6% as at half year with overall earnings crossing $ 1.3 billion dollars and Colombo City ranked as the highest growth city by Master Card Traveller, Sri Lanka Tourism welcomes one of the top ambassadors for Sri Lanka, Global President of Rotary International K. Ravindran. Ravi takes helm in one of the most powerful service organisations of the world which incidentally has permanent observer status at the United Nations at a decisive time for brand Sri Lanka, when the brand value will exceed the GDP of the country crossing an estimated $ 80 billion, said Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau Chairman Dr. Rohantha Athukorala, who is also the Commissioner General for Sri Lanka at World Expo 2015.

When a nation’s brand value increases, it has higher potential to attract better quality tourists, stronger export markets and higher value investments as per the latest research insights, Athukorala noted. “We are honoured to welcome the first Sri Lanka Global Rotary President. In each of the countries he visits, at every meeting, the Sri Lankan National Anthem will be sung and National Flag will be raised, which is one of the best top-of-the-mind brand recalls that can be instilled given that the last research done on Sri Lanka shows global awareness at 4%,” said Athukorala.

“We need build the brand equity of Sri Lanka tourism on this platform, culminating in the South Korean finale, which is the annual conference of Rotary where Rotarian Ravi will hand over the reins,” he said.  Sri Lanka is targeting 100,000 visitors from South Korea in the next year, given the strong thrust in play, which will also include attracting investments from the super power ASEAN economy that boasts 14 million outbound visitors last year.