Sri Lankan Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda today urged Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni to provide expert help to Sri Lanka in strengthening the tourism sector.


Moragoda, who called on Soni here today, said: "Sri Lanka wants to learn from India how tourism related issues are dealt at the State and community level. Sri Lanka is involving private sector in tourism related activities and wants to develop new tourism related products to attract more tourists."


Soni said tourism is an economic driver in India from which the Centre as well as the State Governments is benefiting. She said India is developing 22 mega destinations to provide complete experience for tourists.


During their 40-minute meeting, both the leaders discussed matters of cooperation in tourism sector between the two countries.


Moragoda said India is a magnet and has established a benchmark in promotion of tourism sector in the world with its Incredible India campaign and any effort to take the lead in promoting tourism related cooperation by it would be supported by Sri Lanka.


"Sri Lanka was keen to participate in travel marts in India such as the forthcoming Great Indian Travel Bazar in Jaipur in April this year as it has a pan-Asian dimension," Moragoda added.


The visiting dignitary praised India's efforts against terrorism in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks and said his country would like to exchange ideas with India on security scenario in tourism sector.


Soni conveyed to her Sri Lankan counterpart that several steps are being taken by the Government of India and the Ministry of Tourism to meet the challenges posed by global meltdown and Mumbai terror attacks.


She said hotel associations have come out with their own security guidelines in India after the Mumbai terror attack and the Government is providing them whatever assistance is necessary.(ANI)