Bangkok--Nov 7--eTurboNews
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka ( eTurboNews): This island nation is set to host its first South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation ( SASEC) meeting, which will see participation of tourism officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and host Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is hosting the 6th SASEC meeting for the first time, following its integration in the SASEC Tourism Develpment Plan, and with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) which has been supporting the Tourism Development Plan for 2004-14 for the sub-region.
The meeting will discuss and seek opportunities for cooperation in sustainable tourism development in the sub- region.
The Tourism Working Group at its meeting in Bhutan last May 2004, endorsed the Plan as a blue print for tourism development based on two themes: ecotourism and Buddhist circuits.
Apart from coordinating conservation of cultural heritage resources, Buddhist heritage, other "priority" projects will also be identified.
The ADB has also included development of best practices of the industry in the sub-region, in addition to development of human resource, technical assistance and capacity building.
A grant for the proposed technical assistance under the SASEC Tourism Development Project aimed at upgrading infrastructure and facilities will also be discussed.
Member states at the meeting will also seek collaboration with the World Tourism Organization ( WTO), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO), the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development ( ICIMD), and the Netherlands Development Organization ( NDO).
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