Minister says international broadcasters offer support for Sri Lanka tourism

International broadcasting organisations have expressed interest in helping promote Sri Lanka through their regional media networks, Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath says. The discussions took place alongside the 63rd General Assembly of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union.

Herath met senior broadcasting representatives from Australia, Africa and China to discuss wider media cooperation and ways of introducing Sri Lanka to more international audiences. Officials from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau also joined the meetings.

According to the minister, the visiting representatives praised the country's hospitality, scenery and the welcome they received, with Colombo drawing particular attention. Their reported assessments reflect the minister's account of the meetings rather than an independent measure of tourism demand or visitor safety.

Herath said hosting the gathering could create links that last beyond the event and provide access to new tourism markets. The immediate development is an expression of willingness to cooperate. The report does not set out a completed broadcasting schedule, the value of any promotional agreement or a confirmed increase in tourist arrivals resulting from the discussions.