Alston Koch song debuts at London WTM

Shirajiv Sirimane in London

Sri Lanka will create a major impact when they introduce a song composed by Sri Lankan Alston Koch for the World Tourism organisation. This will be launched tomorrow at the World Tourism Market that begins today at Excel London.

‘A land like no other’ will be sung tomorrow morning to a global audience for the World Tourism organisation and it would be a memorable occasion for Sri Lanka. This is the first item such a Sri Lankan song was dedicated to a programme of this nature.

“Koch has come out with the song on a voluntarily basis,” Director General Sri Lanka Tourism, Dilip Mudadeniya said.

Sri Lanka Tourism working with specialists and researchers from Sustainable Tourism Development International (STDI) and Victoria University, Australia initiated the Earth Lung concept in mid 2007.

It was recognised as an innovative leadership initiative at the UNWTO Davos Summit, with potential as a basis for a global system.

This year’s WTM will see over 40 local participants, which also include eight small and medium sector hoteliers. “This is a decision that was taken to assist them,” he said.

Stall space will be provided for them at a lowers cost while special meetings with the travel agents will also be arranged for them.

“This is a sector we need to promote, “ he said. Mudadeniya will be arriving for the WTM with the Tourism Minister from Iran. Minister Moragoda is visiting Iran as the guest of the Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and President of the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organisation, Esfandyar Rahim Mashaee.

He will also meet other senior Ministers and Officials during his stay.

The Minister will also attend the Commonwealth Minister’s Summit during the WTM which concludes on November 13.

Conservationists, cricketer Chaminda Vaas and musicians will join travel and tourism industry leaders to promote destination Sri Lanka, at the WTM.

The Lankan delegation also includes Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, George Michael and Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau, Renton de Alwis.