Indian travel agents Annual Convention in April: Tourism Minister 

By Charumini de Silva

The much-delayed 66th Annual Convention of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) will be held in April in Colombo, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando confirmed yesterday.  

“The TAAI Annual Convention will draw over 500 delegates representing top travel associations covering all states of India in April,” he told the Daily FT.

 Extending a special appreciation to the Government of India for being a true friend of Sri Lanka in the most turbulent times, Minister Fernando was extremely grateful for the patience and commitment of TAAI.

“Even though the delay was in part of Sri Lanka due to the social-political turmoil since May 2022, the convention was postponed several times. As a true stakeholder of the industry and as a warm neighbour, TAAI President Jyoti Mayal continued to support the revival efforts of Sri Lanka and to hold the much-delayed convention this year without changing the venue to another country. Sri Lanka Tourism is extremely grateful for the support extended,” he added.

The TAAI Annual Convention was originally scheduled to be held in mid-April in Colombo, but the economic and political unrest in the country last year compelled TAAI to postpone the three-day convention a couple of times more. The last update on the convention in August said it will be held in November 2022.  

In February 2022, a tripartite agreement between SLTPB, Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), and TAAI was signed to host the key event with hopes of reviving the COVID-hit tourism between the two countries.

Minister Fernando fondly recalled that TAAI President Mayal’s commitment and support extended to Sri Lanka Tourism during the Indian roadshow last month was very encouraging. 

TAAI has a membership of over 2,500, and the 66th Annual Convention will draw over 50 international media outlets for Sri Lanka to shine in the global spotlight wooing more holidaymakers from the neighbouring giant market. 

In 2022, India dominated as the top tourist source market for Sri Lanka with a cumulative number of arrivals at 123,004. In 2021, Sri Lanka welcomed 56,268 Indian tourists, and in 2020 it was 89,357, in 2019 the figure was 355,002 whilst the highest was in 2018, the industry’s best year which amounted to 424,887. 

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) had allocated around Rs. 66 million to host the massive event that will focus on inbound tourism to Sri Lanka, outbound to India, destination promotion, MICE, wellness, religious, wedding, sports, and many more travel-related opportunities the two countries have to offer. The national carrier – SriLankan Airlines was also roped in as the airline partner of the event.