A delegation from Sri Lanka Tourism Sector including, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism Development and Aviation Deepa Sannasooriya and Director, Planning and Development, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Dr. Prasad Jayasuriya arrived in South Africa on 03 March 2020.
The purpose of the visit was to attend a Workshop organized by South African authorities under the Theme of “Sharing Tourism Best Practices” from 4-6 March 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Upon arrival of the delegation, the High Commission arranged a meeting with a Media Group called “The Diplomatic Society” for the delegation. CEO of the News Magazine Kirtan Bhana and Chief Editor of the Magazine Aneesha Premjee were attended the meeting.
The diplomatic Society, a Local and Global News Magazine established in 1997 in South Africa provides a high net worth user with information on international relations and diplomacy pertinent to their professions. The readership of the print media is more than 25,000.
Actg. High Commissioner Priyangani Hewarathna explained the purpose of the meeting, to the Sri Lankan delegation and asked to speak out on the developments of Sri Lankan Tourism and new initiatives of Sri Lankan Tourism sector to the South African Media.
Speaking to the Media, the delegation briefed about the new initiatives to develop the sector by the Sri Lankan Government. Further it was highlighted that the lack of awareness on Sri Lanka and its value as tourist’s destination among South and Southern Africans has become a barrier to increase tourists from the region to Sri Lanka.
The Acting High Commissioner requested the delegation to see the possibility of allocating a tourism promotion activity, annually for the Southern African Region and organize a FAM tour for the selected media personnel from the region giving the opportunity to share their experiences to the locals of their representing countries.
The Delegation left South Africa on 07 March 2020.
