Webinar promotes Pakistan’s Buddhist tourism in Sri Lanka

Gangaramaya Temple Deputy Incumbent Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero

Pakistan’s Acting High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Tanvir Ahmad

The High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo, in collaboration with Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), this week organised a webinar on ‘Opportunities and Challenges for Pakistan’s Buddhist Tourism in Sri Lanka’.

The objective of the webinar was to promote the Buddhist heritage of Pakistan in Sri Lanka and to provide a platform for the travel agents and key stakeholders on both sides to explore the potential of Pakistan’s Buddhist tourism in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s Acting High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Tanvir Ahmad highlighted the rich Gandhara heritage of Pakistan and efforts by the Government of Pakistan to promote and boost Buddhist and religious tourism on priority. 

He further briefed the participants regarding various initiatives being undertaken by the High Commission to promote Pakistan’s Buddhist tourism in Sri Lanka, including a state-of-the-art documentary covering the Buddhist Heritage in Pakistan which is likely to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka soon. 

The documentary will be a great boost to religious tourism from Sri Lanka in particular and world Buddhist population in general. 

In his special remarks, the Deputy Incumbent Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero welcomed the promotion of Pakistan’s Buddhist tourism in Sri Lanka and reflected upon his memorable visit in April this year as part of the delegation of high-level Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka to Pakistan. While highlighting the efforts of the Government of Pakistan in preserving the Buddhist heritage, he emphasised Pakistan was a new and unique destination for Buddhist travellers from Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s Trade and Investment Counsellor in Sri Lanka Asmma Kamal gave a presentation on the analysis of Sri Lanka as a source market for Pakistan’s Buddhist tourism. She highlighted the demand and trends in outbound Buddhist tourism from Sri Lanka and briefed the participants about ongoing efforts to build business linkages and to promote joint ventures in tourism development between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The webinar was attended by more than 65 participants from both private and public sector organisations of Pakistan as well as Sri Lanka, including Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL), SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO), Travel Agents Association of Pakistan (TAAP) and numerous travel/tour operating companies. 

This webinar is part of the series of virtual forums focusing on high potential trade and investment sectors between Pakistan and Sri Lanka being organised by the High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo in collaboration with key stakeholders in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.