By Savithri Rodrigo
Colombo Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_For the island nation of Sri Lanka, with its mesmerizing natural resources, centuries old history, legacies in creativity embedded in ancient kingdoms, the arts and cuisine, Europe has been one of the strongest markets that have kept the tourism industry afloat. However, having battled the aftermath of the Easter attacks, pandemic and the economic crisis, traveler numbers are now gradually increasing but not at the vibrancy seen pre-2019. Prior to the pandemic, Sri Lanka wlecomed more than 35,000 visitors from Italy, which is also home to a thriving diaspora of approximately 300,000 Sri Lankans.
One of the markets Sri Lanka should be concentrating on is Italy, which has proven that it possesses a traveler who is adventurous and seeking new horizons, with the island nation’s attractions definitely on a bucket list if marketed effectively.
The Italian Embassy in Colombo organised a bilateral dialogue on tourism, bringing together stakeholders in tourism and hospitality to explore and leverage on synergies and opportunities for collaboration and strengthening ties between the two countries.
The Italian delegation comprised the Special Ambassador of the Bid Committee of Expo 2030 Rome Prof. Romeo Orlandi, Legal Advisor to the Councilor for Culture of the Municipality of Rome Miguel Gotor Lorenzo Bimbi and CEO & Founder of Mancini Worldwide Alessandro Mancini representing the largest collective of tour operators and agents in Italy directed the dialogue to reflect the modern day Italian traveler. Two famed Italian culinary schools also brought food for thought to the table in discussions led by the Communication Manager of the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo Paolo Ferrarini and External Relations Manager of the ALMA School of Italian Cuisine Candida D’Elia.
At the dialogue, Special Ambassador Orlandi explained the impact and inherent benefits Sri Lanka would have with a successful bid by Rome for World Expo 2030. Lorenzo Bimbi highlighted the moods, needs and wants of the modern day Italian traveler and Mancini urged Sri Lanka to concentrate on marketing and branding the destination with more clarity.
Ambassador for Italy in Sri Lanka Rita Giuliana Mannella delved into the relationship between Sri Lanka and Italy, calling it a strong and abiding one saying that collaborations in culture and tourism can deepen the dynamic and mutually rewarding relationship between the two countries. The two ministers from Sri Lanka who joined in the dialogue were the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya and Minister of Education Dr Susil Premajayantha who both stressed the importance of Sri Lanka opening her doors wider to welcome Italian tourists, using her innovative and dynamic private enterprise that drives the industry to provide the best Sri Lanka has to offer.
The Chairmen of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Priyantha Fernando, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chalaka Gajabahu and Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management Shirantha Peiris, representatives from The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, Chefs Guild of Sri Lanka, Colombo City Restaurant Collective, Vocational Training Authority, outbound and inbound tour operators, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and leading voices in the tourism and hospitality sectors contributed to the very productive dialogue.
February 27th 2023
