A SLTPB team recently met with the top hierarchy of Korean Air on the sidelines of the Korean World Travel Fair (KOTFA) in Seoul, South Korea to discuss on partnering joint promotions between Sri Lanka Tourism and Korean Airlines which can be beneficial to both parties.

Sri Lanka currently attracts 13,000 visitors from South Korea's lucrative tourist market which is worth 14 million travelers with a per capita income of $25,000.

"We want to double this volume within a year and hence the partnership with Korean Air that operates three flights a week to Colombo will be a key strategy," said SLTPB Chairman Rohantha Athukorala.

The Senior Vice President, Passenger Business Division of Korean Airlines Keelong Woo, commented that it was opportune given that he was instrumental in originating the Colombo flight way back in 2012 and the business needs to be picked up for sustainability even though Maldives is a key market for South Korean honeymoon Travelers.

"We must spread our risk given that five destinations account for fifty percent of our tourism receipts which means we must look for new destinations outside these five countries. South Korea that has a 14 Million outbound market is a clear target," said Athukorala.

"The good news is that the private sector support is very strong hence we must tie up with Korean Airlines who understands the Korean traveler better than us and together make this destination a 100,000 business in the years to come," he added.

The Sri Lanka delegation included Counsellor (Commercial) at Sri Lankan Embassy in South Korea Jagath Kumara and Director Marketing of Sri Lanka Tourism Ms. Madubani Perera.