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| Wednesday, 03 November 2004 |
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Focus on major concerns of travel industry by Channa Kasturisinghe Sex tourism involving children will be a major topic of discussion at the 38th United Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA) World Congress which starts today at Taj Exotica, Bentota. The event which would be attended by approximately 100 foreign delegates will also focus on major concerns of travel industry including the ever changing consumer choice, security issues and replacement of the commission by service fee. The Chairman of UFTAA and also the Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) Udaya Nanayakkara said although Sri Lanka has introduced stringent laws to curb sex tourism involving children, the support and involvement of international bodies such as UFTAA in this effort has become essential. "UFTAA is also an affiliate member of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) and its Business Council and it is well on its way reaching its primary goal of being an active international forum where matters that have a negative impact on the world travel industry are effectively addressed," Nanayakkara said. UFTAA is a world body representing the Travel and Tourism industry and effectively represents Travel Agents' views on inbound and outbound travel with other international organisations. UFTAA is convening in Sri Lanka for the third occasion, this time within a short span of four years. Nanayakkara said that UFTAA has come a long way since its initial move to unite travel agents into one international organisation. "This is a very special congress, which is of national importance to the tourism industry and all delegates are Travel and Tour operators. Apart from its commitment to encourage freedom of travel, UFTAA has extended its mandate to take a practical approach towards dealing with other issues arising out of industry," Nanayakkara said. He said that arrangements have also been made for the delegates to witness the rapid and healthy development of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka since the UFTAA members' last visit here in 2000. |
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