p resident of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka H. E. Ranil Wickremsinghe foresees a huge potential of bilateral tourism among BIMSTEC nations and shared his idea of ‘Borderless Tourism’ while inaugurating the 67th Annual Convention of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.
TAAI- the biggest and oldest travel-trade association of India, came to Colombo with the biggest conglomerate of tourism stakeholders to interact and explore opportunities to revive and expedite the growth of tourism in Sri Lanka.
While addressing the travel-trade stakeholders from both nations present on the occasion, President Wickremesinghe suggested to focus on BIMSTEC Nations to achieve a phenomenal growth that remains within the region. Interestingly this idea of the President was very apt to the theme of the convention ‘Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives’.
While elaborating on the potential of the BIMSTEC region – especially in tourism sector, which understands each other’s culture and cuisine, the President emphasised if this can be promoted as a ‘Borderless Tourism’, all seven countries of the region will have an unprecedented opportunity to grow bilateral tourism within the region, and of course it will be low hanging fruit for Sri Lanka.
Knowing the fact that Sri Lanka has a huge potential of tourism he emphasised that the country should plan to achieve at least five million tourists in near future.
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) region comprises India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan.
While speaking on the occasion, TAAI President Jyoti Mayal, every destination that has played host to the TAAI Convention in the past has seen tourist numbers surge at least quadruple.
The Convention is the right opportunity for improving bilateral tourism the theme of the Convention is ‘Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives’ will focus on promoting regional tourism besides positioning Sri Lanka as a preferred destination among Indian outbound travellers.
The two-day business session and buyer-seller meet mart will be conducted in two hotels Cinnamon Grand Colombo and Shangri-La Colombo. Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardena will also interact with the stakeholders of both nations.
More than 600 delegates (including media) are attending the Convention in Colombo. The delegation feels that they are offered the excellent opportunity to network, get updated, promote or buy and sell, and also take home some great learning through knowledge sessions.
