Sri Lanka to be promoted on the Australian National Television (Channel 9)

Mr. Sean Lynch Director AST (Australian Sports Tour Pvt Ltd) is in Colombo presently to market Sri Lanka as a destination for Australian Cricket fans to visit during the Australian Tour, due in February 2004. We are going to tap the Sri Lankan market, which was never proposed before and are expecting around 200 to 300 cricket fans said Mr. Lynch.

Sri Lanka and India had never been tapped before on sports group tours and it's the first time that sports tours will be promoted to Sri Lanka by AST. Sri Lanka has been promoted as a tourist destination but not as sports destination. We will be promoting Sri Lanka on the Australian National TV on channel 9 from September to November basically on group tours to visit Sri Lanka.

He further stated that the Australians are more interested in test series than ODI. The tour will include sightseeing such as to the hills, beaches, wild life etc.,

He also said that sports group from Australia have been gradually increasing for the past 4-5 years. He also said that its not like England fans the barmy army. England is a large country and sports fans are in larger numbers than Australia, when England toured Australia there was around 10,000 cricket fans.

We know that Melbourne has many Sri Lankan's and we are tapping that market too. AST is the largest Australian sports tour operator and we have been in business for a period of 5 years basically we are specialized in sports tours, a few to mention - The tour of England, South Africa, New Zealand, and the Caribbean's he said. Tourist Industry has been effected in recent times because of SARS and act of terrorism but the sports market has never been effected since it's a niche market

Mr. Sean Lynch will be in Sri Lanka until the 25th August 2003, visiting many places that will offer much interest to his sports tour fans who are expected to arrive for the Australian tour in February 2004.

The tours will include cultural sites, tickets and hotels. Mr. Lynch had discussions with Mr. Mohan de Silva - Secretary BCCSL, Mr. Dulip Mendis - Director National Development Centre BCCSL, Mr. Bandula Warnapura - Director Cricket Operation BCCSL, Mr. Jayantha Kudahetty - Marketing Director BCCSL and Mr. Errol Seneviratne - Public Relations Officer Tour Organizing Committee BCCSL