Aiming to cash on growing outbound Indian tourists, Sri Lanka and Australia have launched new initiatives to cash in on this. Sri Lankan Airlines has launched&nbsp;a unique&nbsp;package for Indian tourists- the "Ramayana Trail" that includes 50 significant locations in the country which&nbsp;is associated with the Hindu epic.

These include Seeta Amman Temple, where Mata Sita is said to have prayed during her captivity, to Rumassala hill, where a piece of the Himalayas is believed&nbsp;to have landed, dropped by Hanuman. 
&nbsp; 
Launching the trail officially over the weekend in Delhi, the Sri Lankan high commissioner said, "The Ramayan is not merely a story, it is a tapestry encapsulating&nbsp;culture, spirituality, and heritage. It has been a source of inspiration, guidance, fostering a connection between India &amp; Sri Lanka...Sri Lankan Airlines is not only offering the opportunity to discover significant&nbsp;locations"&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Sri Lankan Airlines is the country's national&nbsp;carrier, and the initiative comes at a time when India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was extended to the country, which enhances digital financial connectivity. It not only facilitates cross-border transactions, and digital connectivity but also helps the Indian tourists travelling to the country. &nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Howzat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Howzat</a> for a holiday? 🏖️ 
As the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BorderGavaskarTrophy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BorderGavaskarTrophy</a> kicks off, <a href="https://twitter.com/TourismAus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TourismAus</a>'s latest campaign invites 🇮🇳 travellers to explore 🇦🇺’s iconic destinations-beyond the cricket grounds. Join <a href="https://twitter.com/patcummins30?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@patcummins30</a> &amp; Ruby the Kangaroo🦘in discovering the best of 🇦🇺! 
📽️ <a href="https://t.co/sSX1jm74wa">https://t.co/sSX1jm74wa</a> <a href="https://t.co/rxnAHaI0kX">pic.twitter.com/rxnAHaI0kX</a>
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Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lankan Airlines, Richard Nuttall said, "Our Gurus came with this wonderful&nbsp;idea, that it was time for the Ramayana trail. We are really proud to promote this concept and bring the trail to India. We hope this will take tourism from India to Sri Lanka to a new level". 
&nbsp; 
Indians were the largest group of foreign tourists to travel to Sri Lanka in October 2024. With a share of 26.8%, around 36000 Indians travelled to the country also known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean". The next largest number of tourists were from Russia, at just 7.6% share. From November 1-20th 2024, 26,700 Indian tourists travelled to the country, according to Sri Lankan govt data. 
&nbsp; 
The pull exists "down under" Australia, where&nbsp;Tourism Australia launched a new campaign "Howzat for a holiday?" to get more Indian tourists coinciding with the Border Gavaskar trophy. With Australian Test cricket captain, Pat Cummins, as the face of the campaign, the aim is to encourage Indian travellers to visit the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop29-nearly-200-countries-approve-300-billion-for-poor-nations-in-climate-deal-778749">Nearly 200 countries approve $300 billion for poor nations in climate deal</a> 
&nbsp; 
Senator Don Farrell, Australia's Minister for Trade and Tourism in a statement said, "With tens of millions of people across India tuning in to watch the Test cricket series here in Australia, we have an opportunity to showcase to a huge audience why there is no place like Australia for a holiday."&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The number of Indian travellers visiting Australia already exceeds 2019 levels and, according to Tourism Research Australia, arrivals from India are forecast to double pre-pandemic levels by 2028.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Tourism Australia Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison pointed out, "With a population of more than 1.4 billion people and more Indians looking to travel, the potential in the Indian market is endless and we see the Test series as our chance to get on the front foot and promote our country to a captive TV audience." 
&nbsp; 
According to a report by the International Trade Administration (ITA), Indian tourists are one of the highest spenders per visit abroad,&nbsp;which&nbsp;contributes to the economies of the countries they visit. The number of Indian travellers is not only increasing in numbers but is expected to overtake Chinese travellers in the coming years.&nbsp;

Aiming to cash on growing outbound Indian tourists, Sri Lanka and Australia have launched new initiatives to cash in on this. Sri Lankan Airlines has launched a unique package for Indian tourists- the "Ramayana Trail" that includes 50 significant locations in the country which is associated with the Hindu epic.

Aiming to cash on growing outbound Indian tourists, Sri Lanka and Australia have launched new initiatives to cash in on this. Sri Lankan Airlines has launched a unique package for Indian tourists- the "Ramayana Trail" that includes 50 significant locations in the country which is associated with the Hindu epic. These include Seeta Amman Temple, where Mata Sita is said to have prayed during her captivity, to Rumassala hill, where a piece of the Himalayas is believed to have landed, dropped by Hanuman. Launching the trail officially over the weekend in Delhi, the Sri Lankan high commissioner said, "The Ramayan is not merely a story, it is a tapestry encapsulating culture, spirituality, and heritage. It has been a source of inspiration, guidance, fostering a connection between India & Sri Lanka...Sri Lankan Airlines is not only offering the opportunity to discover significant locations" Sri Lankan Airlines is the country's national carrier, and the initiative comes at a time when India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was extended to the country, which enhances digital financial connectivity. It not only facilitates cross-border transactions, and digital connectivity but also helps the Indian tourists travelling to the country. #Howzat for a holiday? 🏖️ As the #BorderGavaskarTrophy kicks off, @TourismAus's latest campaign invites 🇮🇳 travellers to explore 🇦🇺’s iconic destinations-beyond the cricket grounds. Join @patcummins30 & Ruby the Kangaroo🦘in discovering the best of 🇦🇺! 📽️ https://t.co/sSX1jm74wa pic.twitter.com/rxnAHaI0kX — Philip Green OAM (@AusHCIndia) November 21, 2024 × Chief Executive Officer of Sri Lankan Airlines, Richard Nuttall said, "Our Gurus came with this wonderful idea, that it was time for the Ramayana trail. We are really proud to promote this concept and bring the trail to India. We hope this will take tourism from India to Sri Lanka to a new level". Indians were the largest group of foreign tourists to travel to Sri Lanka in October 2024. With a share of 26.8%, around 36000 Indians travelled to the country also known as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean". The next largest number of tourists were from Russia, at just 7.6% share. From November 1-20th 2024, 26,700 Indian tourists travelled to the country, according to Sri Lankan govt data. The pull exists "down under" Australia, where Tourism Australia launched a new campaign "Howzat for a holiday?" to get more Indian tourists coinciding with the Border Gavaskar trophy. With Australian Test cricket captain, Pat Cummins, as the face of the campaign, the aim is to encourage Indian travellers to visit the country. Also read: Nearly 200 countries approve $300 billion for poor nations in climate deal Senator Don Farrell, Australia's Minister for Trade and Tourism in a statement said, "With tens of millions of people across India tuning in to watch the Test cricket series here in Australia, we have an opportunity to showcase to a huge audience why there is no place like Australia for a holiday." The number of Indian travellers visiting Australia already exceeds 2019 levels and, according to Tourism Research Australia, arrivals from India are forecast to double pre-pandemic levels by 2028. Tourism Australia Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison pointed out, "With a population of more than 1.4 billion people and more Indians looking to travel, the potential in the Indian market is endless and we see the Test series as our chance to get on the front foot and promote our country to a captive TV audience." According to a report by the International Trade Administration (ITA), Indian tourists are one of the highest spenders per visit abroad, which contributes to the economies of the countries they visit. The number of Indian travellers is not only increasing in numbers but is expected to overtake Chinese travellers in the coming years.

Sri Lanka, Australia woo Indian tourists with new initiatives

A plane of Sri Lanka's national airline was recently grounded for three days. On Tuesday, the airline blamed a rat for the grounding and the subsequent catastrophic delays.

Amid concerns that the rodent may have chewed through components on the plane, the plane was grounded for three days at Colombo.&nbsp;

<h2>Rodents on the run</h2>

The rat was spotted during last Thursday's (Feb 22) Sri Lankan Airlines Airbus A330 trip from the Pakistani city of Lahore.&nbsp;

Afterwards, a search was launched for the rat, as the airlines made sure none of the components aboard the aircraft were harmed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-tears-of-joy-flow-as-generous-donor-announces-whopping-1bn-donation-to-new-york-medical-school-694293">Watch: Tears of joy flow as generous donor announces whopping $1bn donation to New York medical school</a>

The rat was eventually found dead, and the plane has now resumed flights. However, as per media reports, a spokesperson for the airline said the entire schedule was affected.&nbsp;

"The aircraft was grounded for three days at Colombo," said the airline official.

"The plane could not be flown without making sure that the rat was accounted for. It was found dead."

As per a Daily Mirror report, two aircraft were delayed after rats were found aboard them.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peru-health-emergency-declared-in-provinces-due-to-dengue-694312">Peru: Health emergency declared in provinces due to dengue</a>

"We had to spray a chemical in two aircraft in which rats were found and grounded them for one day as per the international standards," said SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage on Sunday (Feb 25) during a discussion at Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Ministry.

<h2>Sri Lanka Airlines debts and concerns</h2>

As per reports, towards the end of March 2023, the cash-strapped airlines had incurred more than $1.8 billion in losses.

Three planes out of the state-owned airlines 23 aircraft fleet have already been grounded for more than a year.

There are also concerns that the cash-strapped Sr Lanka Airlines may lose investors.

Talking to reporters, Sri Lanka Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the rogue rodent could deter "the few investors" who were considering buying the indebted airline.

As per reports, the country's flag carrier has not turned profitable in more than 15 years or since 2008. Back then, the airlines' chief executive was fired by the then president Mahinda Rajapaksa for refusing to bump passengers for Rajapaksa's family on their way back from London.

(With inputs from agencies)

A plane of Sri Lanka's national airline was recently grounded for three days. On Tuesday, the airline blamed a rat for the grounding and the subsequent catastrophic delays.

A plane of Sri Lanka's national airline was recently grounded for three days. On Tuesday, the airline blamed a rat for the grounding and the subsequent catastrophic delays. Amid concerns that the rodent may have chewed through components on the plane, the plane was grounded for three days at Colombo. Rodents on the run The rat was spotted during last Thursday's (Feb 22) Sri Lankan Airlines Airbus A330 trip from the Pakistani city of Lahore. Afterwards, a search was launched for the rat, as the airlines made sure none of the components aboard the aircraft were harmed. Also read | Watch: Tears of joy flow as generous donor announces whopping $1bn donation to New York medical school The rat was eventually found dead, and the plane has now resumed flights. However, as per media reports, a spokesperson for the airline said the entire schedule was affected. "The aircraft was grounded for three days at Colombo," said the airline official. "The plane could not be flown without making sure that the rat was accounted for. It was found dead." As per a Daily Mirror report, two aircraft were delayed after rats were found aboard them. Also read | Peru: Health emergency declared in provinces due to dengue "We had to spray a chemical in two aircraft in which rats were found and grounded them for one day as per the international standards," said SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage on Sunday (Feb 25) during a discussion at Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Ministry. Sri Lanka Airlines debts and concerns As per reports, towards the end of March 2023, the cash-strapped airlines had incurred more than $1.8 billion in losses. Three planes out of the state-owned airlines 23 aircraft fleet have already been grounded for more than a year. There are also concerns that the cash-strapped Sr Lanka Airlines may lose investors. Talking to reporters, Sri Lanka Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the rogue rodent could deter "the few investors" who were considering buying the indebted airline. As per reports, the country's flag carrier has not turned profitable in more than 15 years or since 2008. Back then, the airlines' chief executive was fired by the then president Mahinda Rajapaksa for refusing to bump passengers for Rajapaksa's family on their way back from London. (With inputs from agencies)

Rats on plane: Sri Lanka Airlines aircraft grounded for three days after rodent spotting on flight

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Sri Lanka, Australia woo Indian tourists with new initiatives

Rats on plane: Sri Lanka Airlines aircraft grounded for three days after rodent spotting on flight