Financial Times

SAARC tourism ministers to meet in Colombo
Ministers of tourism from SAARC countries will meet in Colombo on July 29 along with industry representatives to participate at the SAARC Tourism Ministers’ Meeting.There is a growing need for increasing cooperation to jointly promote tourism within South Asia as well as to promote South Asia as a tourist destination.

The meeting will also provide opportunities for one to one business meeting sessions for travel agents, tour operators, and hoteliers in the South Asian region, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) has announced. It is being jointly organised by the FCCISL and SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the collaboration of government authorities and private sector organizations related to travel and tourism industry.

The Heads of the seven SAARC governments at the 12th SAARC summit held in Islamabad in January 2004 declared the year 2005 as the “South Asian Tourism Year”. The purpose of this important move was the development of tourism in South Asia to bring about economic, social and cultural dividends to the region.

Minister of Tourism Anura Bandaranaike will be the Chief Guest at the SAARC Tourism Ministers’ meeting.

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