Jyoti Mayal Advances Tourism Collaboration Between India and Sri Lanka

Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson of the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) and former President of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), has taken significant steps to foster tourism and strengthen bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka.

Her recent visit to Sri Lanka coincided with the opening of Sancharaka Udawa 2025, a two-day tourism exhibition jointly organised by the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. During her stay, Mrs Mayal held a special one-on-one meeting with His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The discussions highlighted her successful organisation of the 2023 TAAI convention and reaffirmed her ongoing commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s tourism revival.

The meeting served as a platform to propose new initiatives centred on skill-sharing partnerships between the two nations, aimed at boosting employment and elevating standards within the tourism and hospitality sectors. The President warmly welcomed these suggestions and expressed appreciation for her dedication to sustainable tourism development.

Mayal also met with Vijitha Herath, Minister of Tourism and Foreign Affairs, who invited her to continue the dialogue and organise future meetings to explore further cooperation.

"India and Sri Lanka share a rich cultural and historical bond. Through skilling and strategic tourism collaborations, we can not only boost employment and tourism numbers but also foster stronger people-to-people connections. I’m committed to working closely with Sri Lankan counterparts to create impactful and lasting change," said Mayal.

Additionally, she engaged in a positive discussion with Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, focusing on bilateral initiatives in skill development, employment generation, and marketing strategies to attract more inbound tourists.