Sri Lanka, in an unusual move, promotes visitors to China
View(s):Sri Lanka’s top state tourism chief found himself, recently, in an unusual position of promoting travellers to another country, besides Sri Lanka.
When a delegation from the tourism authority of Guangdong Province in China visited Sri Lanka late last month to promote tourism in that region, Sri Lankan Tourism Chairman Paddy Withana was invited as the chief guest at an event where some travel agents were also invited.
“I find this an interesting moment where I am promoting visitors to China compared to inviting them here,” he said, adding however that “this is a unique opportunity because we are looking after each other’s interests.”
China is Sri Lanka’s second largest source market after India with month-on-month surging growth. On the other hand, many Sri Lankans visit Guangdong for business with the annual China (Guangdong) International Tourism Industry Expo (CITE) event held every September, being a must-attend now for leisure companies. Mr. Withana said Guangdong is one of the strongest and richest parts of China with several places to see and visit like museums, parks and street markets. ”Sri Lankans will love this Chinese city as there is scenic beauty and they can also do a lot of shopping. There is good weather during the summer,” he said.
The delegation was led by Huang/Guangzhi, Vice Director of the Tourism Administration of Guangdong Province Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Tourism Affairs Section, who showed a promotional video while inviting Sri Lankans to visit Guangdong and the adjacent mainland territories of Hong Kong and Macau under a single visa facility. An official at Aitken Spence Travels Ltd, Sri Lanka’s biggest outbound travel agency, said they were hoping to promote resort destinations in the Guangdong province in a big way in the future.