Harin Fernando, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Tourism, has been appointed as one of the two Vice Chairs for the South Asia Commission of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the period of 2023 to 2025. This significant appointment was announced during the 59th meeting of the UNWTO Commission for South Asia (CSA) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
In addition to the Vice Chair role, Sri Lanka has also been elected as the Representative of the Committee on Tourism and Sustainability (CTS) and the Committee on Tourism and Competitiveness (CTC).
The UNWTO Regional Commissions, established in 1975, serve as important platforms for member states to foster communication and collaboration between General Assembly sessions. These commissions facilitate the exchange of proposals, concerns, and ideas, ultimately shaping the global tourism agenda.
The official confirmation of Harin Fernando’s appointment will occur at the UNWTO’s 25th General Assembly, scheduled to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from October 16th to 20th, 2023.
“Sri Lanka Tourism is proud to receive this esteemed appointment and is committed to leveraging its role as Vice Chair to foster tourism development, sustainability, and competitiveness in South Asia. Lead by the minister of tourism, the tourist industry looks forward to collaborating with UNWTO and member states to create a thriving and responsible tourism landscape in the region.” Sri Lanka Tourism said in a statement.