Tourism Minister Harin Fernando and Sri Lanka Tourism Brand Ambassador and iconic cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya opened the office set up by DMC Expert Hospitality in Ahmedabad, the most populous city in the Gujarat state.

“Tourists from Gujarat are the most travelled in India and there wasn’t a dedicated office. Expert Hospitality was one of the first DMCs to come forward to open the office,” Fernando said via a tweet on Saturday following the opening.

Last month, Minister Fernando first revealed plans of venturing into Gujarat, adding that the State has three million people travelling each year and are considered to be high spenders as well.

Earlier this month, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu confirmed to the Daily FT that the long-awaited tourism roadshows in India will kick off next month targeting three main cities – Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad.

As per Sri Lanka Development Authority (SLTDA) provisional data, India continues to stand strong as the top tourist source market for Sri Lanka with the cumulative number of arrivals at 77,219 year-to-date, followed by the UK with 63,070, Russia with 49,140, Germany with 38,900, and France 27,312.

Source: https://www.ft.lk/front-page/SL-focussed-promotion-office-opens-in-Ahmedabad-to-woo-visitors-from-Gujarat/44-738965

Sanath Jayasuriya was appointed Tourism Ambassador of Sri Lanka on Thursday, February 21 during the ‘Get Sri Lankaned’ joint promotional campaign held at Bangalore, India.

Sanath, a cricketing legend and a Member of Parliament was given a plaque by Muthu Sivalingam, Deputy Minister of Economic

Development, during the event named as the Sri Lankan Night’, which was the first promotional programme under ‘Get Sri Lankaned’ held at Vivanta by Taj Hotel, Bangalore.

Under the new initiative carried out on the advice of Minister Basil Rajapaksa, the former Sri Lankan cricket star will function as a Tourist Ambassador, with the view of promoting Sri Lanka as a renowned destination internationally. It is hoped that the experience and the personality of Sanath Jayasuriya could be key features in shaping his future role as the Tourism Ambassador.

The event was also graced by the participation of other Sri Lankan cricketing stars including the World Champion skipper Arjuna Ranthunga.

Over 300 leading businessmen and the travel agencies in India also took part in the event. Representing Sri Lanka was Prasad Kariyawasam – Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Dr Ameer Ajward, Deputy High Commissioner, Chennai, Dr Willie Gamage – Secretary to the Ministry of Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation, Bashwara Gunarathna – Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism, Anil Koswattha – Chairman, Sri Lanka Handicraft Board,. Rumy Jauffer, the Managing Director of SLTPB and Nishantha Ranathunga – Secretary, Sri Lanka Cricket Board also participated in this event.

Source : http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2013/02/24/sanath-jayasuriya-to-be-sri-lanka-tourism-ambassador/#sthash.4sTOrdnK.dpuf