|
India and Lanka for joint tourism promotion
Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda called during the afternoon of
December on his counterpart in the Government of India, Smt. Ambika
Soni, who holds the portfolio of Tourism and Culture. Secretary
Tourism Ministry of India Shri S.Banerjee also participated in the
discussion.
Minister Moragoda briefed his Indian counterpart on the measures
taken by Sri Lanka to develop the tourism sector. They also include
endeavours by private-public sector partnerships.
India he said was one of the largest markets for Sri Lanka’s
tourist industry, providing around 20% of visitor arrivals.
The
promotional efforts by Sri Lanka have also included the Conventions
Bureau successfully approaching several leading Indian Companies,
with a view to encourage them conduct their meetings and other business
related gatherings in Sri Lanka. Moreover, the Sri Lanka Tourism
Ministry has encouraged contacts between the State level tourism
administrations in India and those at the Provincial level in Sri
Lanka.
The two Ministers addressed the subject of further strengthening
collaboration in the field of tourism between the two countries.
It was decided that the Joint Working Group constituted under the
Memorandum of Understanding entered into in 2004, would be convened
at an early date.
It was felt that the approach for partnerships between the state
sector and private enterprises could be reflected in the composition
of the two delegations for the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group.
An area of special focus would be the circuit of Buddhist sites.
This is a key strand of the many links between the two nations.
Minister Ambika Soni noted that collaboration in tourism would be
of economic benefit while also heightening even more the people
to people links, which are a vital aspect of any bilateral relationship.
She emphasised that her Ministry was looking forward to working
closely with its Sri Lanka counterpart.
|
