Minister of Tourism Mr. Milinda Moragoda met with Leader of the Opposition of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu in his office with the senior officials.
The two held bilateral discussions which focussed on cultural, economic and tourism issues. They agreed that further meetings between their respective officials should be held to pursue a number of areas of mutual interest. Minister Moragoda briefed on the measures taken by Sri Lanka to develop the tourism sector, with private-public sector partnerships. India, he said is one of the largest markets for Sri Lanka's tourist industry, providing around 20% of visitor arrivals. The promotional efforts by Sri Lanka have also included the Conventions Bureau successfully approaching several leading Indian companies, with a view to encouraging them to hold their meetings and other business related gatherings in Sri Lanka.
Tourism Ministry has encouraged contacts between state-level tourism administrations in India further strengthening collaboration in the field of tourism between their two countries. Minister Moragoda met Chief Minister Narendra Modi of the Indian state of Gujarat also in his recent visit to India, and before that Ministry delegation had a bilateral agreement with the Kerala state situated at the southern part of India, on Ramayana Trail Promotion. |
