Aitken Spence Travels (AST) closed the 2017/18 financial year with a total inbound volume exceeding 178,000 visitors to Sri Lanka. This year’s performance builds on the previous year’s record high of 153,000 tourists. The growth was recorded at 16% while during the same period the country arrivals grew by 7%.
Managing Director AST Nalin Jayasundera said, “This achievement was possible due to our continued efforts in diversifying to new markets and growing the existing markets by securing new business. I am happy to note our increased visitor numbers resulted in the Company recording the highest ever profit thus far. This was due to the excellent team work of the staff who ensured that our clients are served with dedication and professionalism coupled with years of experience in the tourism industry”.
“The contribution of our tour operator partners has been significant to the Company’s achievements. We place our sincere appreciation for the support extended by hotel partners, airlines and other suppliers for playing a significant role.
The 41 year journey of AST is built on the ethos of trust and partnerships. We are privileged to have the best practices of TUI, the world’s largest integrated tourism company and the strength and backing of the Aitken Spence Group”, he added.
AST is active in many diverse segments of tourism.Its cruise shore excursions business commands market leadership in the country. The cruise business is a growing segment and Sri Lanka has potential to offer a multi-port offering to differentiate in order to secure future business. Charter flight operations have been growing and AST has continued to handle charters from UK, Sweden, Finland and Russia. In 2017/18 together with TUI, AST handled a charter from Poland for the first time which operated flights every 10 days. Due to its success TUI will operate a second charter for winter 2018/19 from Poland.