Bohra convention to cash in US$50 million
A much needed boost to the tourism industry has been achieved in the form of the Bohra Global Convention scheduled to be held from September 1-10 at the Bohra Headquarters in Bambalapitiya.
The Bohras is a minority community of Muslims in Sri Lanka, initially originating from India. Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga said at a media briefing in Colombo on Thursday that following a series of negotiations the authorities were able to make a breakthrough for the industry in attracting this convention to be held in Sri Lanka this year that is expected to generate over US$50 million in earnings.
With a participation of 25,000 from 40 countries Immigration authorities have set up a special counter for the visitors to be cleared and made necessary arrangements to ensure ease of travel at the point of entry.
The free visa facility would be extended to all countries that the participants are said to be travelling from.
The minister pointed out that this convention is likely to send out a strong message that Sri Lanka is a safe destination.
Most visitors to the convention are expected to tour the country either before or after the event bringing in much needed revenue and stimulating the hospitality sector in the tourist destinations around the island, the minister said.
Moreover, it was noted that the authorities had ensured security of the visiting participants to this convention.
It was revealed that participants are already coming into the country and as a result about 3000 rooms have already been booked in and around Colombo in addition to over 200 apartments as of now.
Immigration Controller Pasan Ratnayaka said that they have arranged for facilities at the airport and also through the ETA online visa processing system.
He explained that special counters have been set up at the Bandaranaike airport to ensure ease of entry.
In line with this convention the country is expecting visitor arrivals to increase upto 175,000 for August, Promotion Bureau Chairman Kishu Gomes said.
He noted that they hope to surpass the September and October numbers of 2018 of 149,000 and 153,000 respectively averaging at 175,000 in order to achieve a 2 million target for arrivals by the end of this year.
Already the industry is witnessing an increase in daily arrivals by about 80 per cent from June to July.