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Lankan Ministers discuss tourism promotion with Japan
Jul 28, 201002:38 PM
Sri Lanka’s Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Economic Development who are currently on a visit to Japan met with Akira Kanai, Chairman of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) on Tuesday, states the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan.
At the meeting, External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa informed the JATA that the Sri Lanka Tourism Authority is now concentrating on new areas of interest for tourists visiting the island, which are mainly, eco tourism, religious tourism and certain specialized areas such as ayurveda.
The Ministers also emphasized that since the UK and US travel advisories on Sri Lanka have now been relaxed, they wish to invite a team of JATA officials to visit Sri Lanka and experience first-hand the present situation. They also requested the visiting team to give any advice on areas that require improvement in the tourism sector.
Mr. Kanai was of the view that the Japanese public needs more awareness on Sri Lanka as a travel destination, and that Japanese visitors are very concerned about Japanese food and Japanese language when visiting a destination and these are the areas that need attention when attracting Japanese tourists to Sri Lanka.
The Ministers also met with Hajime Ishii, Member of the House of Councillors and Vice President of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) at the party headquarters along with other parliamentarians.
The Sri Lankan Ministers exchanged views on Japan-Sri Lanka relations and common political achievements. They also agreed to continue the strong bilateral relations between the two countries both at state and political party level.
The Ministers also met with Ambassador Yasushi Akashi, Special Representative of the Government of Japan on Peace Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction. The Ministers briefed Mr.Akashi on the current developments in the island.
Photo caption: Ministers G.L. Peiris and Basil Rajapaksa meet Hajime Ishii, Member of the House of Councillors and Vice President of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) at the Party Headquarters along with other Parliamentarians on Tuesday. Also in the picture are Nalaka Godahewa, Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Esala Weerakoon, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Sri Lanka and J.H.J. Jayamaha, Director General, External Resources Department. (Pic. by: Yohan Bandara)
