• TAAI affirmed commitment to keep SL as host country for its 60th convention
• Played role of a strong advocate for Sri Lanka at Three Cities Road Show in India

The highly anticipated Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) convention that was to take place in Sri Lanka this year has been postponed to 2023, the Tourism Ministry said. 

The thrice postponed event, which the local tourism sector was eager to host, has been delayed once again. Although the island nation is showing some recovery from the implications that stemmed from the economic and political turmoil that escalated in May this year, the officials of the TAAI have shared their decision to further delay the event. 

The decision by the TAAI was shared with the Tourism Ministry at the five-day Three Cities Road Show, which Sri Lanka took part in 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 coming of the TAAI to Sri Lanka was imperative for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, as one of the objectives of the event was to promote the island nation to Indian holidaymakers, a key and feasible target market for Sri Lanka. 

 Despite the event being pushed forward several times, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said the Indian travel and tourism stakeholders are still committed to having the event in Sri Lanka.

“TAAI President Jyoti Mayal truly and genuinely advocated for Sri Lanka during the road show and we highly appreciate that. She affirmed commitment that the convention will be held in Sri Lanka. There will be no change of destination.

We are extremely grateful for the patience and commitment from the TAAI and for the support they are showing for Sri Lanka tourism,” said Fernando, addressing journalists in Colombo to provide an update on the success of the Indian road show. 

A sum of Rs.100 million has been approved by the Treasury to facilitate the 60th TAAI Convention. The allocation will be made from the funds collected from the Tourism Development Levy.  
Sponsoring the event will be the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau, alongside the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators and national carrier SriLankan Airlines.