As a move to boost tourism and bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka, Jyoti Mayal, former President of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and Chairperson of the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), recently travelled to Sri Lanka to participate in the inauguration of Sancharaka Udawa 2025, a two-day tourism exhibition organized jointly by the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
During the visit, Jyoti Mayal had the honour of a one-on-one meeting with His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Honourable President of Sri Lanka. The meeting highlighted the success of the TAAI convention held in 2023 and reaffirmed her continuous support to Sri Lanka throughout its tourism resurgence.
The event also served as a platform to introduce new proposals focused on skilling partnerships aimed at encouraging mutual growth in the tourism and hospitality industries.
Support for Cross-Border Skilling Initiatives
The President welcomed the recommendations graciously and appreciated the enthusiasm and efforts toward capacity building and sustainable tourism promotion. Jyoti Mayal emphasised the need for cross-border skilling initiatives to enhance employment and tourism standards, further consolidating the Indo-Sri Lankan tourism partnership.
Expanding Collaborative Dialogues
Complementing these efforts, she met with Vijitha Herath, Minister of Tourism and Foreign Affairs, who extended an invitation for continued dialogue and future meetings to explore deeper cooperation and sustained collaboration.
Commitment to Lasting Impact
“India and Sri Lanka share a rich cultural and historical bond. Through skilling and strategic tourism collaborations, we can not only boost employment and tourism numbers but also foster stronger people-to-people connections. I am committed to working closely with Sri Lankan counterparts to create impactful and lasting change,” said Jyoti Mayal.
Discussions on Bilateral Initiatives
Jyoti Mayal also held a positive meeting with Buddhika Hewawasam, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman. Discussions focused on bilateral joint initiatives in skill development, employment generation, and strategic marketing to boost inbound tourism footfalls between the two nations.
