• Industry sources share convention cannot be rolled out with initial budget of Rs.66mn
• Treasury approval still pending to release an additional amount from Tourism Development Fund
• New date to host convention to be decided when SL attends Three Cities Roadshow in India end of month 

The budget to host the mega tourism delegation from India, the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) convention, is extended by Rs.34 million, due to the escalating cost of operation in the island nation. 

Mirror Business learns that the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau (SLTPB) has made a fresh request from the Treasury to approve a total of Rs.100 million to facilitate the 60th TAAI convention that is set to be held in Sri Lanka. The approval is yet to be given. The allocation will be made from the funds collected from the Tourism Development Levy (TDL). 

At the time the TAAI made the announcement, in February this year, that it will host its 60th convention in Sri Lanka, the SLTPB announced Rs.66 million has been budgeted to fund the three-day event. However, as the economic and political turmoil brought in uncertainties in May and its implications have resulted in the business community and the public dealing with fresh challenges, especially in the financial front, the bureau has requested the Treasury to consider the budget extension, so that it can carry out the activities as planned.  

In addition to the SLTPB sponsoring the event, as previously planned, concessions will be offered by national carrier SriLankan Airlines for the delegates, while the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) will take over the ground arrangements for the entire duration of the stay.

The TAAI, SAITO and Sri Lanka Tourism entered into a triparty agreement earlier this year to confirm the arrangements of the event.

When inquired about the firmed-up date for the thrice postponed convention to take place, the industry sources said the date is likely to be finalised when the tourism stakeholders attend the Three Cities Road Show that would be held in India end of September. 

The 60th TAAI convention was initially scheduled to be held in April, targeting the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. But the crisis situation in the country that broke out in May resulted in the event being postponed to July and then again to October/September.

The convention will bring over 500 stakeholders from the Indian travel and tourism sector. Being the largest tourism organisation and the representative body of the travel industry in India, the TAAI will also bring 50 media personnel from India to cover the mega convention and create content to promote destination Sri Lanka.

The event is expected to boost the tourist traffic from India and likewise from Sri Lanka to the neighbouring giant.