Chamber of Tourism & Industry launches Sri Lanka’s First ever Tourism News Portal

Chamber of Tourism and Industry launched Sri Lanka’s first ever tourism news portal with a view of developing country’s tourism industry recently.

Chief Guest at the event Deputy Minister Economic Development M.L.A.M. Hisbullah speaking at the ceremony went on to say that It is commendable that Chamber of Tourism & Industry representing the Private Sector had come forth taking the initiative of launching a Tourism Industry News portal which further would directly and indirectly promote Sri Lanka as a leading tourist destination in the World.

“ I believe this also stand in parallel with government’s ambitious target of having 2.5 million tourists by year 2016” he said adding that the effort taken by Chamber of Tourism & Industry in launching a tourism news oriented website will serve as a first hand information portal for travelers and people who wish to have access to get to know about main tourism attractions and tourism industry related events in Sri Lanka.

It is no doubt Mr. A. M. Jauffer’s  and the Chamber of Tourism’s idea on bringing this a success would further enable to take Sri Lanka’s rural tourism growth activities and to promote the tourism industry and Sri Lankan culture worldwide.

“I personally believe this will be an ideal platform to promote Sri Lanka as a destination for tourists as well as for international conferences and meetings” he notes. Minister Hisbullah further noted that in fact it is a timely decision that Chamber of Tourism and Industry had taken to take country’s tourism industry forward with emerging new communication and social media technologies as Sri Lanka is gearing up for CHOGM 2013 in November this year.

Also present at the occasion were Senior Minister for Food Security - P. Dayaratne, Minister of Justice – Rauff Hakeem, Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion – Faiszer Musthapha along with President - Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka Kumar Mallimarachchi, President – International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka – Tissa Jayaweera, Managing Director – Tourism Promotion Bureau - Rumy Jauffer, National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) Chairman N.M. Saheed , Chairman, Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) - Chandra Mohotti and  Secretary General/CEO at FCCISL Nalin Attygalle.

Representing the FCCISL both Kumar Mallimarachchi and Rumy Jaffer went on to say that the launching of the website is a timely need as the country’s next phase of growth is promised on the growth of the tourism industry.They also graced the Chamber of Tourism and Industry being the brainchild of the concept of the new venture. FCCISL officials further highlighted that being member chambers of FCCISL other chambers could also work towards enhancing their industries through chambers and activities that are targeted towards promoting the country’s growth and economic development.

The Tourismnews.lk website will also help all tourism entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka by adopting the e-business concept which is prevalent in most developed countries around the world.

Speaking on the occasion President of the Chamber of Tourism and Industry A. M. Jauffer said that tourism industry currently lacks more sophisticated technological platform to promote Sri Lanka’s tourism activities to world audiences and readers across the globe.

He went on to say that it is vital to market Sri Lanka on internet and online news media platforms that take a major role in destination marketing and creating enthusiasm for travelers.

“Thus we proposed to operate and run a news portal titled Tourismnews.lk managed under the Chamber of Tourism and Industry” he added.

Tourismnews.lk is a website that would fulfill the need of being  one source that would inform worldwide travelers about Sri Lanka and tourism related activities in the country. The website will bring all the Tourism industry related news and activities in Sri Lanka while enhancing its platform to market tourism oriented business and Sri Lanka as a leading destination.

The website aims to educate people on Sri Lanka, what places to visit in Sri Lanka, and events that attract tourists during each calendar year in Sri Lanka. Alternatively the news items will include featured articles on Travel Hotspots of the country explaining their heritage value and historical importance.

Further the site will also promote Sri Lanka as a destination for foreign investments through articles that would be featured on tourism related activities. 

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