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| Sunday, 20 February 2005 |
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PATA to help uplift tourism by Surekha Galagoda Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will establish a fund for tourism development in the tsunami affected countries. " It is not a US$ one billion fund but it is a substantial amount of money," said President and CEO of PATA Peter de Jong addressing the industry personnel and the media. Mr. Jong and Chairman PATA Ram Kohli were in Sri Lanka on an inspection tour to asses the current situation of the country and to see if further assistance was needed. During their stay in Sri Lanka they visited Negombo and held meetings with the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Promotion Anura Bandaranaike, Chairman Tourist Board Director - Udaya Nanayakkara as well as Tourist Industry personnel. According to him fighting against the misconceptions is the greatest challenge that lies ahead as projecting reality at a time like this is difficult, but we will succeed. We have to build and maintain the reputation as an industry as well as a region and the ITB meeting in Berlin next month will be the best launching pad as PATA has organised sessions for tsunami hit countries to conduct interactive sessions. He said that all people who love the region should extend their support by visiting the region and everybody should get together to rise from the ashes. Chairman PATA Ram Kohli expressing his views on the 100 metre buffer zone said that it was not a bad idea. He said the region had enormous potential and all should get together to explore the possibilities and the opportunities in the region and also showcase the region to the west as a safe place to travel. Chairman PATA Sri Lankan Chapter Jayantha Panabokke said the region had enormous potential and PATA would help to develop it further. Past Chairman PATA Sri Lankan Chapter Hiran Cooray who had been on a short visit to Germany said that their were misconceptions among some of the Germans about the tsunami and the damage it had done were due to lack of information.
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