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the Tsunami: Peter Hill, CEO of SriLankan Airlines |
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Dubai, February 2005: Tourism will be essential
to help Sri Lanka rebuild itself after the recent tsunami, according to
Peter Hill, CEO of the national carrier SriLankan Airlines.
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The country is making a quicker recovery than expected, though experts have stressed that a medium to long-term plan is essential. Hill explained: �The region�s travel industry has been affected before, but has shown remarkable resilience thanks to the strength of our product. Experts tell us that we can expect a full recovery within 2005.� International hotel chains present in Sri Lanka have pledged continued investment in the island. Thomas Monahan, Starwood Hotels & Resorts senior vice-president for acquisitions and development, said the group had been looking to establish one or more of its brands in Sri Lanka for the past two years. Starwood remains bullish on Sri Lanka and would even consider investment opportunities should the right opportunity present itself, he said. The luxury brand, Banyan Tree manages two properties - Deer Park Hotel, located in Giritale and the Swanee Hotel in Beruwala. The company�s chairman, Ho Kwong Ping said his company is well-placed to help the affected communities build back their lives. "We now have a responsibility - one to help those who strive to regain normalcy.� SriLankan Airlines was created in April 1998 when Air Lanka, was privatised following the establishment of a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Emirates Airline. The agreement saw Emirates take a 40 per cent shareholding in the company and undertake a 10-year management agreement, during which time SriLankan has been established as southern Asia�s preferred international carrier. |
Contact:
Kirstie Hepburn SriLankan Airlines in Arabia tel +971 4 3915390 www.srilankan.aero |