Sri Lankan government seeks expertise from New Zealand to develop adventure tourism in the country
The government of Sri Lanka has reportedly sought expertise from New Zealand to develop the country’s adventure tourism sector as well as to improve high end hospitality training.
Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga has made this request in his keynote address at the inauguration of the fourth New Zealand Trade Mission Meeting held in Colombo last week.
A group of 20 delegates representing 13 New Zealand companies had arrived in Colombo last week on a three day visit aimed at forging business and trade links with Sri Lanka.
Minister Amaratunga had personally welcomed the delegation.
The delegation was led by New Zealand Trade Commissioner for Sri Lanka, Ralph Hays and included High Commissioner for New Zealand in India and Sri Lanka, Joanna Kempkers.
Tourism is New Zealand’s number one export earner with nearly 190,000 people directly employed by the industry.
According to reports, over the years New Zealand has developed expertise in food service and food production, environmental management, infrastructure design and development, as well as education and training – areas that have allowed New Zealand’s tourism sector to flourish.
Two-way trade between New Zealand and Sri Lanka has grown by 31 percent over the past three years and is now worth 367 million New Zealand dollars (41.3 billion LKR).
The majority of trade is commodity based but there are increasing opportunities in a variety of sectors including tourism, aviation, agriculture, electronics and education.
“Like Sri Lanka, we’re proud of our natural environment and want to see it preserved for everyone to enjoy,” New Zealand Trade Commissioner for Sri Lanka, Ralph Hays has been quoted as saying in the local media.
“We feel there are many areas of opportunity such as sustainable tourism development for New Zealand and Sri Lanka to collaborate and to share expertise.”
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is poised for further growth this year and is in continuous need to expand its existing portfolio. Sri Lanka has promoted leisure, eco, sports and other forms of tourism in the country and is now looking at promoting adventure tourism. The request for New Zealand to assist in promoting adventure tourism as well as the improvement of high end hospitality training indicates business opportunities that have opened in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/11042018/Z_4 |