Gujranwala Business Centre (Chamber) of Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chamber of Tourism and Industry Sri Lanka (CTISL) on Friday, to promote inbound and outbound tourism between the two countries.
Chairman Gujranwala Chamber Ikram Lone said that due to several issues that took place in both countries the high tourism potential was highly underplayed.
“We have brought a 14-member high powered business delegation to Sri Lanka and we see that the negative publicity created against Sri Lanka are all false and the country is not only a high potential tourist destination but also an investment paradise,” he said.
Lone said that to promote tourism from Pakistan air connectivity should be increased with more direct flights.
He said the Sri Lankan Government should look at relaxing ‘touch visa laws’ for Pakistan travelers to Sri Lanka. “We have also addressed this issue with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry.”
Lone said that with more tourists coming to Sri Lanka some members of their delegation who represent the hospitality sector are keen to invest in the local hospitality sector especially in areas of hotel supplies.
The Pakistan investors with the delegation is also looking at importing raw metrical from Pakistan and manufacturing carpets in Sri Lanka and market them to tourists.
President Chamber of Tourism and Industry, A.M. Jauffer who coordinated this event said that through the members of the chamber they are looking to offer special packages to encourage Pakistan tourists to visit Sri Lanka. “We will also talk with the local authorities to iron out visa and air connectivity issues.
“We also see bigger opportunities to promote Buddhist tourism from Sri Lanka to Pakistan in a more organized manner and will work with travel sector stakeholders in this regard,” he said. – SS
