Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed the Deputy Minister of Tourism of Sri Lanka, Professor Ruwan Ranasinghe, during a courtesy visit at the Department of Tourism (DOT) Central Office.
The meeting reaffirmed the strong and growing tourism cooperation between the Philippines and Sri Lanka, where discussions centered on the mutual promotion of both countries as top-tier destinations, particularly in the areas of cultural tourism, heritage preservation, and sustainable tourism development.
“It was a pleasure to welcome Sri Lanka Deputy Minister of Tourism, Professor Ruwan Ranasinghe, for a meaningful exchange on strengthening tourism cooperation between the Philippines and Sri Lanka,” Frasco said.
“Sri Lanka is interested in learning from the Philippines’ best practices, particularly on tourism education, skills development, destination marketing strategies, and connectivity.”
Ranasinghe—an accomplished tourism academic and policymaker—expressed keen interest in learning from the Philippines’ best practices, particularly on tourism education, skills development, destination marketing strategies, and connectivity.
For her part, Frasco emphasized the DOT’s ongoing programs to develop diversified, inclusive, and competitive tourism offerings. She also acknowledged the active participation and support of the Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa, in various DOT flagship programs such as the Philippine Dive Experience and the Philippine Experience Program: Heritage, Culture, and Arts Caravan in Batanes, highlighting the importance of people-to-people connections in tourism diplomacy.
“We also explored ways to enhance air connectivity for seamless travel and increased tourist flow.”
“We are grateful for Sri Lanka’s compliments on the success of the Love the Philippines campaign, recognizing its resonance with global audiences. We also explored ways to enhance air connectivity for seamless travel and increased tourist flow; establish joint promotion initiatives for mutual tourism growth; as well as Sri Lanka’s interest to learn from our training programs acknowledging the service excellence of Filipino tourism workers,” the tourism chief said.
“We expressed the Philippines’ gratitude as well as our interest in collaborations on eco-tourism as well as culture and heritage tourism,” she added.
As the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Philippines approaches, the meeting paved the way for renewed joint efforts in tourism investments, promotions, education, and research.
At the meeting with Frasco and Ranasinghe were Sri Lankan Diplomatic Columnist Glenn Gale, and DOT Undersecretaries Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Verna Buensuceso, Maria Rica Bueno, Assistant Secretary Judilyn Quiachon, and Head Executive Assistant Frances Jan Villarino.
