Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has suggested transforming the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) region into a “borderless” tourism area.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ongoing 67th annual convention of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), President Wickremesinghe proposed this idea to enhance tourism cooperation among the seven member nations.
The BIMSTEC region comprises India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan. President Wickremesinghe emphasized the potential of the region and highlighted the theme of the TAAI convention, “Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives,” which aligns with his proposal for a borderless tourism area.
Addressing the economic challenges faced by Sri Lanka, President Wickremesinghe discussed the ongoing recovery efforts and debt restructuring process. He stressed the importance of tourism as a non-debt creating source of revenue and encouraged maximizing its potential to achieve a positive balance of trade.
The President also mentioned various initiatives planned by the Sri Lankan government to accelerate the country’s recovery from the economic crisis. These include the development of seven golf courses and additional resorts. He indicated that certain laws would be revised to support the growth of the tourism sector and attract more visitors.
President Wickremesinghe’s proposal to establish a “borderless” tourism area within the BIMSTEC region reflects the commitment of Sri Lanka to strengthen regional cooperation and boost tourism growth. As discussions and collaborations unfold at the TAAI convention, the potential for enhanced tourism cooperation and economic development in the region remains a key focus.
Notable attendees at the opening ceremony included High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Gopal Bagley, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chalaka Gajabahu and President of TAAI Jyoti Mayal.
The 67th TAAI Convention is taking place in Colombo from July 6 to 9.