Sancharaka Udawa 2019, and what more we can do – Destination Marketing

Well, it was a new learning curve this specific event.

This tourism fair in Sri Lanka was an alert to the world that Sri Lanka is back, up and running. The event was great for me meeting of business partners and discussing the next steps and how I could help them.

Inbound operators, Hoteliers and excursion holders showcased themselves and the products they specialize in. Productivity wise it was a great event.

Things to improve next time as I see, which would be more beneficial to inbound operators and hoteliers:

• Small and Medium business owners should be given a discount to showcase their products.
• There should be new boutique hotels, and even hostels showcased.
• New excursions, new ideas for incentives, MICE and event show be shown.
• Railway Department a key factor as to why tourism in Sri Lanka exists should showcase. Why go to Ella other than the trains. Operators would gain more knowledge and a better understanding.
• Marketing was very dull for this event, most agents and hotels were unaware of the event.
• Tourist Board should have sent a circular to everyone registered with them to participate.
• Sri Lankan embassies in other countries should have been informed by tourist board so International agents too can participate.
• Roads should have been lit up and jazzed up a week prior setting the mood for the event.
• More social media awareness should have been created.
• A celebrity should have been named the Ambassador for Tourism and showcased with International Media.
• During the events, Sri Lankan cultural entertainment should have been presented much more.

Last but not least, operators and hoteliers do not be discouraged. The markets which perform as a majority book 06 - 08 months prior hence arrival basis June, July shall be slow but bookings shall flow in confirmations will come through. Utilize last-minute traveler markets, like Asia to bring in for the coming months.

The bookings that were canceled reach out to all your partners, and encourage them to rebook them with you.

We have to support ourselves, do more marketing to the world, more out of the box ideas to push any destination we sell.

These are my thoughts. Did you participate? What do you think?

Cheers!

LISWITH

Destination Specialist, kind of questions

Hi,

Been a while since I last wrote. Well, this time I am going to discuss the importance of asking a client need in tourism. Most people never question clients, they assume it is offensive. Not only asking if the date of travel and which country is enough.

You are sales and destination specialist:
 1.    Ask what interest they have
2.    What meal plan they would like to stay on
3.    Ask the budget they have for their trip

These are not offensive questions, if not you end up sending some standard packages and clearing the email for sake of clearing the email.

Without asking these questions, you quote blindly. Do you find it attractive if some you request sends some quote or they ask what your needs, wants are and how much you have as a budget? When you receive this email it contains things you are interested in and almost with the budget you are seeking now that is attractive.

Please stop finding offense in things that make your job better, and make you more efficient as a destination specialist and a salesperson.

Try asking those questions and you can see how much more attractive you are towards your clients. They would be enthusiastic to reply to your emails, pick your calls and confirm their holiday just with you.

Take simple steps that make you more effective without the spending of a cent.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Are Maldives Resorts disability accessible?

Please note Maldives islands are not designed for clients with reduced mobility but they do accommodate them and any requirement in prior so they will accommodate accordingly.

Nevertheless, they did have cases where people in a wheelchair came to resorts and they were able to arrange things accordingly.

However, these guests had either a person accompanying them or were able to walk a little bit, which made it easier, as especially some spaces like restaurants, bathrooms and getting around and island are mainly sand would be tricky. Some resorts have buggy so it would be easier to move around the island, and some do have wheelchairs on the island too.

Below are some exemptions to the rule:  

LATEST Addition : Amilla Maldives to become world’s first accessibility and inclusion certified resort

https://maldives.net.mv/51409/amilla-maldives-to-become-worlds-first-accessibility-and-inclusion-certified-resort/

Wheel Chair accessible  / YES
Hurawalhi	Villa and Public Areas
Sun Aqua Vilu Reef	Wheel Chair accessible
Paradise Island Resort & Spa	Guests can use wheelchair in the resort except beach area
Shangri -La's Vilingili	One of the beach villas (Two Bedroom Villa) nearest to the main facilities is designed to be wheelchair accessible villa. This villa is equipped with full facilities for guests with limited mobility allowing even wheelchair users unrestricted movement around them. A ramp, an Easy-access doors, fixtures and fittings in the rooms, bathrooms and toilets in a layout and height enabling easy operation and movement.
Coco Collection Resorts	All of their resorts are wheelchair friendly
HIH	Wheel Chair accessible
JA Manafaru	They can provide the ramps to have the access to the restaurants, except of the White Orchid and the Water Villas
Four Seasons Resorts Maldives	They do have Wheel Chair accessibility at both properties. They can arrange a ramp in the Villa as well as arrange Beach Wheel Chair as well.
Baros	Yes possible
St Regis	The Overwater Villas would be more wheelchair friendly than Beach Villas as there is not sandy path/walkway here.
Sun Island Resort	Wheel Chair accessible
Lily Beach	Wheel Chair accessible
Hideaway Beach	Wheel Chair accessible
Sheraton	Wheel Chair accessible
Westin Maldives	Wheelchair Friendly Hotel Villa 147 is equipped for wheelchair movements Public washrooms equipped for wheelchair movements Arrival jetty equipped for wheelchair movements
Angsana Velavaru	Island is wheelchair accessible and friendly. For the villas and outlets, if required they will be installing ramps.
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi	The resort is wheel chair friendly as do have disabled-friendly villas in the island and they can provide ramp builds with enough slope to slide wheelchair in and out the villa, our I-spas (bathtub) in the villas also have a hand shower. On the other hand, once the booking has been confirmed, they will need more details of their condition so they can prepare in advance the necessary adjustments to make their stay more comfortable. Also note that they have a limited stock of wheelchair in the island so they will need to be informed in advance so we can arrange the wheelchair (beach type).
LUX North Male	There are certain areas that is difficult for wheelchair accessibility, they would require to be informed in advance for us to prepare the ramps & railings but please note that certain areas would still not be wheelchair friendly.

Cheers!

LISWITH