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Sri
Lanka China boosts tourism ties
The Minister of Tourism Milinda Moragoda had bilateral
discussions with the Chairman of China National Tourism
Administration (CNTA) Shao Qiwei and several high level
officials at the China World Hotel last week.
CNTA is the main Government body responsible for all
the activities related to tourism in China and the Chairman
Shao Qiwei reports directly to the State Council and
the Premier Wen Jiabao.
While extending a warm welcome to Minister Moragoda,
the Chairman of CNTA briefed the Minister on the increasing
numbers of outbound tourists from China and the fierce
competition in the Chinese tourism market.
Emphasising on the long standing friendship and bilateral
ties between Sri Lanka and China, the Chairman stated
that the CNTA would welcome and assist the tourism authorities
and aviation sector to promote Sri Lanka in China.
While appreciating CNTA for their cooperation to Sri
Lanka tourism promotion, Minister Moragoda explained
the new developments in Sri Lanka where the war has
finally come to an end and where there is hope for new
beginnings, especially in the tourism sector. Explaining
his purpose of visit to China this time, the Minister
stated that the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau is
launching their new logo and theme “Sri Lanka –
Small Miracle” at the ITB in Berlin this month
and that the Bureau has chosen China as the first place
to announce the new tourism logo and theme, which shows
the importance Sri Lanka has placed on China and the
Chinese people. The Minister requested the CNTA for
their support in Sri Lanka’s tourism promotion
campaign, particularly in giving more publicity to Sri
Lanka. The Minister also sought possibility of developing
a framework in the form of a joint committee for regular
interactions between China and Sri Lanka in tourism
cooperation.
Responding positively to the initiatives proposed by
the Minister, the Chairman of CNTA stated that they
are willing to provide Sri Lanka with maximum support
in promoting Sri Lanka in China and that the Marketing
and International Cooperation Department of CNTA will
work very closely with the Sri Lankan authorities in
future in formulating an appropriate framework for regular
interactions where the concerns of both parties can
be addressed. He further suggested that the Chinese
travel agents are invited to work more closely with
the CNTA and the Ministry of Tourism of Sri Lanka in
conducting research as to how Sri Lanka could tap the
Chinese tourism market better. The Chairman also assured
the CNTA’s support to Sri Lanka in areas of improving
aviation capacity to Colombo, introducing more tourism
related investments to the island and assistance to
Sri Lankan travel agents in participating at various
travel fairs held in China in future.
The Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau B.
A. B. Goonetilleke, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China
Karunatilaka Amunugama and SriLankan Airlines country
manager Jayaseelan were also present at the bilateral
discussions.
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