Sri Lanka Consulate General in partnership with Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC), the premier chamber of trade, commerce and industry in India jointly celebrated the World Tourism Day at the auditorium of the Chamber in Mumbai on 27th September 2012. The Consul General of Sri Lanka, Ms. Upekka Samaratunga was the Chief Guest of the event.
The event was one of the main Sri Lanka tourism promotional events jointly conducted by the Consulate General in Mumbai to elevate the achievements of Sri Lanka Tourism industry in the post conflict era.
The Consular Corps, members of the Indian Merchants’ Chamber, representatives of All India Travel Association, tour operators, media personnel, travel agents and expatriates participated at the event. The occasion was made more colorful by the dance performance of few Asian and African countries.
Sri Lankan Airlines supported the event by offering free return air tickets for the three (03) prizes of the raffle, giving opportunities for the winners to travel to any destination in Europe, South East Asia to where SriLankan Airlines operates flights and to Colombo as first, second and third prize, respectively.
The Consul General in her presentation highlighted the figures of the booming tourism sector in Sri Lanka supported by new tourism attractions, infrastructure facilities, air connectivity, online visa system, banking, insurance, transport, high-end accommodation facilities, etc, available to the tourists for their pleasant stay in Sri Lanka. She further emphasized that lasting peace established under the present government has offered more space for the tourism sector of the country to strengthen the gentle bond with other nations around the globe.
The Sri Lanka Airline, Regional Manager, Mr. Lalith Peiris in his presentation pointed out that the number of travelers from India to Sri Lanka is increasing unprecedentedly. He mentioned that there are 78 Sri Lankan Airlines flights per week between Sri Lanka and India. He announced the promotional airfare available for Golf players who are willing to attend the Golf Tournament to be held in Sri Lanka next month.
The President of the Indian Merchants’ Chamber, Mr.Niranjan Hiranandani, addressing the participants expressed that tourism has contributed for the bilateral, regional and global peace as well as and has strengthened the cooperation and brotherhood among the nations. He further, expressed his gratitude to the participating countries including Sri Lanka for the support extended to the IMC to organize a successful event to celebrate the World Tourism Day for the Second consecutive year.
Sri Lanka Consulate General
Mumbai
