Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Friday, 7 October 2022 00:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Tourism Minister Harin Fernando yesterday said the much-delayed 66th Annual Convention of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) will be held next year in Colombo, whilst appreciating their support extended to revive Sri Lanka Tourism.
“Although the delay was in part of Sri Lanka due to the social-political turmoil since May, the convention was postponed several times.
However, 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 early next year without changing the venue to another country. We are extremely grateful for the patience and commitment of TAAI,” the Minister recalled fondly.
The TAAI Annual Convention was originally scheduled to be held in mid-April in Colombo, but the economic and political unrest in the country 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.
Minister Fernando pointed out that TAAI President Mayal’s commitment and support extended to Sri Lanka Tourism during the Indian roadshow last month was very encouraging.
On 24 February, 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.
“We have discussed with the TAAI President and their members during our roadshow. It was decided to hold the convention early next year and the dates are yet to be finalized,” he added.
TAAI has a membership of over 2,500, and the 66th Annual Convention was to draw over 500 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. India remains strong as the top tourist source market for Sri Lanka YTD with a cumulative number of arrivals at 86,625.
Last year, 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.
