SL - Egypt MoU to promote tourism

Sri Lanka and Egypt signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote tourism, exchange tourists between the two countries, attract investment and facilitate knowledge transfers in areas of each country’s expertise.
While noting that the MoU would open up a window of opportunities for both countries to develop tourism, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, who signed the MoU on behalf of the government, said that Egypt had to develop its air connectivity with Sri Lanka, which is inadequate at present.
"With no direct flights available to Egypt, it is not feasible for Sri Lanka to promote tourism, with flight costs to Egypt via Doha or Dubai being too expensive.
Egyptian tourists are not likely to consider Sri Lanka over Seychelles or Mauritius for the very same reason of not having direct flights between the two countries," a member of the Sri Lankan business delegation said.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said that the two ministers who had met shortly before the MoU was signed discussed the need for developing new tourism products while diversifying the existing product base, which will include hosting international conferences, events, seminars and workshops.
The threat factor to tourism from terrorism was also discussed by the two ministers.
The Ministry said that the MoU will seek to establish a joint tourism committee which will address issues related to human development, and investment.
It is expected to actively engage the private sector in this joint committee while a suggestion to offer preferential rates was also mooted in the MoU.
Dr. Sicille Kotelawala, Deputy Chairperson, Ceylinco Consolidated, and Dr. Chris Nonis, Chairman, Mackwoods Ltd and Harry Jayawardena, Chairman Aitken Spence and Stassen Exports Ltd were present at the signing ceremony.
Egypt’s Tourism Minister, Zoheir Garranah, signed the MoU for Egypt.