Sino-Lanka bilateral talks on tourism
The visiting Minister of Tourism Milinda Moragoda had bilateral
discussions with the Chairman of the China National Tourism
Administration (CNTA) Shao Qiwei and several high level officials at the
China World Hotel last week.
CNTA is the main Government body responsible for all the activities
related to tourism in China.
The Chairman of CNTA briefed Minister Moragoda on the increasing
numbers of outbound tourists from China and the fierce competition in
the Chinese tourism market. Emphasizing the longstanding friendship and
bilateral ties between Sri Lanka and China, the Chairman said that the
CNTA would welcome and assist the tourism authorities and aviation
sector to promote Sri Lanka in China.
While appreciating CNTA for their cooperation to Sri Lanka tourism
promotion, Minister Moragoda outlined the new developments in Sri Lanka
where the war has finally come to an end and where there is hope for new
beginnings, specially in the tourism sector.
Explaining the purpose of his visit to China this time, the Minister
said that Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau is launching their new logo
and theme “Sri Lanka - Small Miracle” at the ITB in Berlin this month
and that the Bureau has chosen China as the first place to announce the
new tourism logo and theme, which shows the importance Sri Lanka has
placed on China and the Chinese people.
The Minister called upon the CNTA for its support in Sri Lanka’s
tourism promotion campaign, particularly in giving more publicity to Sri
Lanka. The Minister also explored the possibility of developing a
framework in the form of a joint committee for regular interactions
between China and Sri Lanka in tourism cooperation.
Responding positively to the initiatives proposed by the Minister,
the Chairman of CNTA said that they are willing to provide Sri Lanka
with maximum support in promoting Sri Lanka in China and that the
Marketing and the International Cooperation Department of CNTA will work
closely with the Sri Lankan authorities in future in formulating an
appropriate framework for regular interactions where the concerns of
both parties can be addressed.
He said that the Chinese Travel agents should work more closely with
the CNTA and the Ministry of Tourism of Sri Lanka in conducting research
as to how Sri Lanka could tap the Chinese tourism market better.
The Chairman also assured the CNTA’s support to Sri Lanka in areas of
improving aviation capacity to Colombo, introducing more tourism related
investments to the island and assistance to Sri Lankan travel agents in
participating in various travel fairs held in China in future.
The Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau B. A. B.
Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka Ambassador to China Karunatilaka Amunugama and
SriLankan Airlines Country Manager Jayaseelan were also present. |