Ministry of Tourism Milinda Moragoda in his recent visit to France met with Monsieur Luc Chaphel Minister (Secretaire de I’etat) of Tourism and Consumer Affairs in France and discussed several areas for corporation.

A framework for a MOU to be signed in a future date was discussed in detail.  Chaphel pledged his support in the areas of Hotel classification, training of staff in hotel management and destination marketing.  Chaphel requested for information on projects undertaken to combat global warming.

Minister Moragoda was accompanied by Sri Lanka Ambassador in France Ms. Chitrangani Wagiswera, Chairman Sri Lanka Tourist Board Renton de Alwis and Additional Director General Sri Lanka Tourist Board Dileep Mudadeniya.

France has recorded average 35,000 tourists along with 300,000 rooming in 2004 and 2005.

Subsequent to the travel advisory in October 2006, arrivals dropped sharply.  Sri Lanka Tourism is optimistic that with the change of the advisory and the recent visit to France by the minister, will provide a kick start for winter arrivals 2007/2008.

Arrivals from France are mainly patronizing the hotels and cultural attractions in the Cultural Triangle.

Sri Lanka Tourist Board recently conducted an independent security audit which resulted in French Tourism to resume selling  the destination.  The results of the audit were presented on September 11, at UNESCO and followed by several of promotional activities.

A separate event was organized to launch the World Tourism Day celebration by inviting leading women to the travel and tourism industry in France.  Ten French students studying tourism were invited to submit the projects they worked on the degree programmes and same were presented to the panel consisting of key women professionals.  This session was conducted by a well-known TV personality Alexandra Debanne.

A separate cultural show was organized at UNESCO with more than 1000 spectators (mainly Travel agents and Tour operators).  Sri Lanka also launched a special promotional campaign titled “Half a price for better half” to increase the numbers immediately.