Growing global support for tourism revival

SLCB Chairman Kumar De Silva addressing ICCA Asia-Pacific delegates at IMEX Exhibition in Frankfurt on Monday

Sri Lanka is continuing to attract global support for the quick revival of its tourism industry which took a heavy blow following the terrorist attacks last month.

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Asia Pacific Chapter summoned a special meeting in Frankfurt, Germany on Monday 20 May to extend its support and solidarity to Sri Lanka and New Zealand. A minute’s silence was observed when the entire Asia Pacific Region came together to back the two nations in their bid to support the recovery of tourism.

The meeting was called by ICCA – Asia-Pacific Regional Director Noor Ahmad Hamid on the sidelines of IMEX, which is the world’s leading MICE event currently being held in Frankfurt, Germany.

Speaking to over 200 ICCA Asia Pacific members, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) Chairman Kumar De Silva highlighted Sri Lanka’s resilience, stating that the country in general and the tourism industry in particular were fast returning to normal. He emphasised that every possible measure had been taken to ensure the safety of visitors and that the country was open for business.

De Silva focused on the fact that none of Sri Lanka’s famed tourism sites were affected by the recent events and that these places remained ready to welcome visitors.

SLCB, which is the country’s apex convention organiser, is making a determined push to establish Sri Lanka as a hub for MICE tourism in the South Asian region. De Silva called on the industry to work together to overcome the challenge of global terrorism and invited industry leaders especially in the Asia Pacific region to visit Sri Lanka and witness first-hand how the country has recovered and is ready to welcome visitors. He termed this turnaround as being ‘so Sri Lanka’.

Last week United Nations World Tourism Organization Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili called on the global community to offer its unwavering commitment to Sri Lanka Tourism by resuming travel to the country.