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| Sunday, 31 July 2005 |
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Recovery faster than expected - Tourism Minister by Chanuka Mannapperuma With the intention to promote the tourism industry within the SAARC region the SAARC Tourism Ministers met at the Taj Samudra, Colombo last Friday. Addressing the delegates, the Tourism, Industries and Investment Promotion Minister Anura Bandaranaike said, the purpose of this meeting was to continue with efforts towards the development of tourism in South Asia for the benefit of our people in the region. The Minister stressed that this was a long-felt need, for increasing cooperation not only to promote tourism but also to project South Asia as an emerging and dynamic tourist destination. He said that after the tsunami, we have recovered fast much more than expected, and due to this there was an increase in air travel frequencies, augmenting international and inter-region travel. Sri Lanka's first stamp on tourism designed under the theme 'Visit South Asia' was also issued on that day. "We hope to extend our facilities to our travellers and we are also looking forward to new technology, which will provide more security in India. Travel cards, on line services, airline facilities will also be provided", Indian Minister of Tourism, Smt. Renuka Choudhury said at the meeting. She made an open invitation to the journalists to visit India and write articles on country's atmosphere. She also admitted that the Indian government has taken steps to issue visas free to 10 or more groups who are visiting there as pilgrims for the benefit of travellers. The Managing Director Tourism Development Corporation - Pakistan Brigadier (Retd) in Pakistan Hashim Khan, also stressed that a large number of tourists were coming to Pakistan mainly from India. He said the travel industry has a great potential and travellers played the keyrole in tourism. He said, "Our first priority should be domestic tourists. Explaining further, he outlined the facilities that Pakistan had with China for tourists. "China and Pakistan has a road link and this was very important for travellers, considering the cost factor. In addition our Government also provides loans and other facilities for travel related comforts, he said. A special feature in this meeting was the participation of Travel Agents, In bound and Out-bound Tour Operators, Hoteliers, Travel related and Travel Allied Organisations from SAARC countries who will have one to one Meetings following the Minister's meeting. The Ministry of Tourism states that is an important event not only for the development of tourism into the SAARC region but also travel within the region with a view to bringing about economic, social and cultural dividends to the people in the region. The meeting is part of current efforts to meet the growing need increasing cooperation within South Asia for the achievement broader economic benefits. All the SAARC delegates emphasised that the SARRC Region Summit would be the trailblazer for tourism in the future. |
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