The Executive Committee of the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) comprising 15 members visited Sri Lanka recently on a fact finding mission.
They met Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga and senior officials of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) to discuss new business avenues and promote Sri Lanka as a top destination.
OTOAI is due to have their convention in Colombo this year.
The SLTPB organised a networking session between the OTOAI delegation and Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators Association (SLAITO) members to promote Sri Lanka as a tourism destination among the tour operators in India.
Minister Amaratunga said the meeting would lay the foundation for greater cooperation in promoting tourism between the two countries.
President of OTOAI, Mahendra Wakaharia said that they plan to promote segments such as weddings, MICE tourism and entertainment and high-end leisure products to Indian markets.
OTOAI members also met the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi before their visit to Sri Lanka to discuss the potential for enhancing outbound travel and tourism from India to Sri Lanka.