In a major step towards enhancing tourism cooperation and strengthening bilateral ties between India and Sri Lanka, Mrs. Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson of the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) and former President of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), visited Sri Lanka to attend the inauguration of Sancharaka Udawa 2025. The two-day tourism exhibition, jointly organized by the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, served as a vital platform to explore cross-border collaboration in tourism and hospitality.
During her visit, Mrs. Mayal held a significant one-on-one meeting with His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Honourable President of Sri Lanka. The discussion highlighted her successful leadership during the TAAI Convention in 2023 and her continued support for Sri Lanka’s tourism revival. A key highlight of the dialogue was Mrs. Mayal’s proposal for skilling partnerships between the two nations, aiming to build capacity, create employment opportunities, and uplift tourism standards across borders.
The President of Sri Lanka welcomed these suggestions warmly, appreciating Mrs. Mayal’s commitment to sustainable tourism development and regional cooperation. Emphasizing the importance of skill development, Mrs. Mayal proposed strategic initiatives that would facilitate knowledge sharing, job creation, and professional training in tourism and hospitality for both Indian and Sri Lankan youth.
Further building on these initiatives, Mrs. Mayal also met with Hon. Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Tourism and Foreign Affairs. Their meeting resulted in an invitation for future discussions and sustained engagement to deepen bilateral tourism cooperation. The dialogue emphasized long-term collaboration in areas like tourism marketing, human resource development, and policy innovation.
In addition, Mrs. Mayal held a fruitful meeting with Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. They explored opportunities for bilateral projects focused on joint skill development programs, employment generation, and marketing strategies to boost inbound tourism between India and Sri Lanka.
Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Mayal said, “India and Sri Lanka share a deep-rooted cultural and historical bond. Through targeted skilling programs and strategic tourism collaborations, we can strengthen employment opportunities, increase tourist exchanges, and nurture stronger people-to-people connections. I am committed to working with our Sri Lankan counterparts to bring about impactful, lasting change.”
Mrs. Mayal’s visit reflects a progressive phase in Indo-Sri Lankan relations, marked by mutual respect and a shared vision for a sustainable, skilled, and resilient tourism economy. Her diplomatic outreach and leadership at Sancharaka Udawa 2025 signal a promising future for cross-border tourism growth and cooperation.
