LNP – Poland to add to SL’s tourist traffic this winter

LOT Polish Airlines’ direct flights to Colombo to provide tourism sector fresh impetus
Polish travellers seek tropical destinations to escape height of winter
Sri Lanka is slated to witness a boost in the number of tourists this winter season, as Poland is gearing up to contribute to the tourist traffic starting December 7.

The resumption of flights from LOT Polish Airlines to Colombo is expected to provide the local tourism sector fresh impetus as direct flights will be facilitated twice a week till the end of the winter season. Due to the recent developments, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) expressed confidence in Poland becoming a key source market for the island nation. “Polish travellers seek tropical destinations under the sun to escape the height of winter and Sri Lanka is widely expected to be their first choice in December 2021, due to the easy accessibility with direct flights,” the SLTDA said in a statement. In 2018 and 2019, Sri Lanka witnessed a significant number (20,000 per annum on average) of Polish visitors on direct flights but following the pandemic, the numbers contracted.

The number of arrivals from that county is expected to pick up with LOT Polish joining hands with Rainbow, one of the top three Polish tour operators.

The SLTDA said Rainbow would promote Sri Lanka “strongly” as the premier destination for Polish and other European visitors in Asia. To facilitate this endeavour, the SLTDA acknowledged that direct air connectivity is imperative to develop trade and tourism between the two nations.

“…to this end, Sri Lanka Tourism is identifying source markets to improve connectivity from where more tourist numbers could be generated,” the SLTDA said. Poland is among the European countries that continue to maintain some of the most stringent restrictions to avoid the further spread of the COVID-19 virus. The relevant authorities strongly advise their residents from taking unnecessary international trips, according to the Schengen Visa website.