Gujarat to sign MoU with Lanka to promote tourism

Ahmedabad: A memorandum of understanding will be signed between Sri Lanka and Gujarat, at the 'Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit' to promote tourism in both countries. The event will be held from January 11 to 13.

The Gujarat Global Investors Summit has had resounding successes in the past attracting many global partners, and therefore this partnership is bound to be of much value to both parties a release from Ministry of Tourism said.

On an invitation of Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan Minister of Tourism, Milinda Moragoda, will deliver a keynote speech at the event in Ahmadabad, in the state of Gujarat.

His speech, focused on Costal Tourism, will address issues pertaining to beach tourism, adventure sports, cruise, special entertainment zones, opportunities for spas, and responsive tourism.

This summit aims to bring together business leaders, investors, corporations, thought leaders, policy and opinion makers, at an international level.

It will further incorporate an exhibition, which will continue up to 17 January, giving exposure to the various stakeholders of the event.

With a projection of the outbound tourist market as 16 million by 2010, India offers much for Sri Lanka's tourism industry. During 2008, India continued to be the one single country with the largest number of arrivals to the island.

Excellent flight connectivity between India and Sri Lanka, facilitate the strong potential for the continued increase in outbound travel from India.

With robust income from a range of cash crops and several industries such as textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and engineering, Gujarat is one of the leading generators for domestic tourism and international travel in India.

Sri Lanka Tourism has defined specific areas, which will be of particular interest to the Indian, and specifically the Gujarat visitor, commented Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Bernard Goonetilleke.

Meanwhile, Kataragama in southern Sri Lanka, which is a popular place of worship for god Skandha, will interest travellers from South India.