Asian destinations are not only a shoppers’ paradise; they offer value for money too. HotelierMiddleEast.com's sister publication - Arabian Travel News - provides fast facts on how to sell some of the top spots.
SRI LANKA
The shopping potential in Sri Lanka is year-round according to Sri Lankan Tourism Board (SLTB) Middle East director Heba Al Ghais Al Mansoori, with prices on brands and labels remaining low throughout the year.
Sri Lanka has many Special Economic Zones that are used by big name garment manufacturers and international labels.
“Visitors to Sri Lanka are increasingly becoming aware of the designer brands available in the country at down-to-earth prices,” says Mansoori.
Where to shop...
“Crescat Boulevard, Liberty Plaza and Majestic City are Colombo’s favourite shopping malls, which stock a variety of goods including clothes, books, mobile phones and giftware,” she says.
“The government-operated Laksala and the privately-owned Lakpahana, Lakmedura and Lanka Hands in Colombo have a comprehensive stock of locally-manufactured handicrafts and souvenirs.
“A visit to Colombo would hardly be complete without a shopping experience at ODEL, the popular department store”. A visit to The Pettah — the busiest shopping bazaar in the city — is a must. Products on offer include a range of clothes and local gemstones.
Mansoori also recommends the town of Kandy, located in the hills, as an alternative shopping region.
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Where to stay...
Emirates Holidays’ associate hotel, the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo includes a three-storey shopping mall, the Crescat Boulevard, with more than 75 deluxe shops, supermarkets and food courts.
Amaya Hills in Kandy has 43 standard rooms, 48 deluxe rooms, five superior rooms and four suites. It also features Ayurvedic health centre Panchakarma, sports and recreational equipment, conference facilities and a ational equipment and conference facilities.
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