Flemingo International, one of the world's premier duty free service providers, has called on both the world of travel retail and the wider world to stand by Sri Lanka.
In the wake of the Easter Sunday bombings that targeted churches and luxury hotels in Colombo, research from Forward Keys said that more than 80% of bookings to Sri Lanka were cancelled.
Flemingo is, however, urging people to still visit a destination that was named by Lonely Planet as the best to visit in 2019.
The retailer used Blue Storks Head of Travel Retail Marine Bemelmans and Head of Inflight Sales & Marketing Jan Simonson Hoefnagels as a positive example. The pair recently started a two-week tour of the island driving a Tuk Tuk.
Bemelmans and Hoefnagels explored Flemingo’s arrivals store after landing before heading to Negombo, where they met up with Flemingo International Directors Paul Topping and P Thimmayya.
After a morning spent learning how to drive a Tuk Tuk in Negombo, Bemelmans and Hoefnagels headed on to Sigiriya to spend the next two days exploring the cultural triangle.
A statement from Flemingo said: “It is great to see the two travellers supporting the country, demonstrating their passion to see the island and drive their Tuk Tuk themselves. We recommend you follow in the footsteps of Marine and Jan.
“While they cannot compensate for the slowdown in tourism, they understand that every little bit goes a long way. Several countries including India and China have relaxed the travel restriction against Sri Lanka this week.
“So, go out there and give them a wave, a clap, a shout of “well done” as their branded Tuk goes rolling down the highways. The country needs more of them coming here. And no, you don’t have to drive a Tuk Tuk. Just come and enjoy what is on offer, we promise you won’t be disappointed.”