Online forum on COVID-19 with Tourism Industry Leaders by Advocata Institute

Published in the Daily News, Lanka Business Online, Business News, Economy Next, the Morning and Travel Voice

Advocata Institute is hosting a panel discussion with tourism industry leaders, Kimarli Fernando (Chairperson, Sri Lanka Tourism), Vipula Gunatilleka (CEO, SriLankan Airlines), Sanath Ukwatte (Chairman, Sri Lanka Hotel Association), Mahen Kariyawasam (President, Sri Lanka Inbound Travel Operators); moderated by Murtaza Jafferjee (Chair, Advocata Institute) on the impact of COVID-19 on Sri Lanka’s Tourism Industry. The tourism sector has been hit hard by COVID-19, with international travel into the country slowing down in January and February, even before our airports closed for international arrivals. The World Bank estimates that Sri Lanka’s tourism sector contributes a little over 12% of GDP, and is a major source of local employment. As the tourism sector is also the country’s third-largest source of foreign exchange, the impact of this downturn will be felt throughout the economy. The discussion will cover the current challenges faced by the tourism industry and route to recovery.

The online panel discussion will be hosted on Zoom and live-streamed via Advocata Institute’s Facebook Page and other partner channels this Tuesday, 21st of April from 10.30 AM.

Register now: www.advocata.org/events (Limited slots available to join the zoom call)

Send us your questions via slido.com. Event Code: #COVIDLK