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Tourism Minister Harin Fernando along with TAAI President Jyoti Mayal, Tourism Secretary Buweneka Herath and SLAITO President Nishad Wijetunga at the media briefing on Thursday – Pic by Lasantha Kumara
Sri Lanka Tourism will host the Travel Agents Association of India’s (TAAI) 68th Annual Convention in July drawing over 500 delegates, to draw more holidaymakers from the giant neighbouring market.
Tourism Minister Harin Fernando confirmed on Thursday that the much-delayed TAAI Annual Convention will be held from 6-9 July in Colombo, whilst appreciating their support extended to revive Sri Lanka Tourism.
“We are extremely grateful for the patience and commitment of TAAI to hold their convention in July without changing the venue to another country. Although the delay was in part of Sri Lanka due to multiple challenges, AAI President Jyoti Mayal continued to support the revival efforts of Sri Lanka,” he added.
Originally, TAAI Annual Convention was scheduled to be held in mid-April 2022 in Colombo, after a tripartite agreement between the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), and TAAI was signed on 24 February 2022 to host the key event with hopes of reviving the COVID-hit tourism between the two countries. However, the economic and political unrest in the country compelled TAAI to postpone the three-day convention on multiple occasions.
Minister Fernando said this is a great opportunity for Sri Lanka to draw a large number of visitors for the neighbouring giant and to showcase the offering during the shoulder period.
He also highlighted that TAAI President Mayal’s commitment and support extended to Sri Lanka Tourism during the Indian roadshow last month was very encouraging.
TAAI President Jyoti Mayal stated that it was an honour to rekindle the relationship with Sri Lanka and talk more about tourism between India and Sri Lanka.
“I feel Sri Lanka is an extension of India. Sri Lanka is so close in proximity that it could be a weekend destination for all our travellers. As the visas are very easy to procure for Sri Lanka, this is a huge opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka in all the ways it could be. There is a huge scope to enhance that potential,” she added.
TAAI has a membership of over 2,500, and the 68th Annual Convention was to draw over 450 delegates representing top travel associations covering all states of India, along with over 50 international media outlets for Sri Lanka to shine in the global spotlight wooing more holidaymakers from the neighbouring giant market.
Mayal also said that the event will host business sessions between both countries with the participation of agents and all the stakeholders of Sri Lanka.
“Sri Lanka has everything to offer, including adventure tourism, wellness, conferences, weddings, film, religious tourism and many more,” she said.
Mayal said that discussions are also underway to create Sri Lanka as a tourism hub to connect all other countries, noting that tourism drives the economy of a country, including India and Sri Lanka.
SLAITO President Nishad Wijetunga said they were glad to partner and host the event, which will also be an ideal opportunity for the industry to interact with the Indian travel trade.
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.
