Sri Lanka hopes to boost tourism under Belt and Road Initiative

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2017 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and China. Sri Lanka's president will attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation during the weekend in Beijing.

ICS's He Jian spoke to Sri Lanka's consul general in Shanghai about how the initiative can enhance tourism and education cooperation between Sri Lanka and China.

Lakshitha Raynayake, consul general of Sri Lanka, in Shanghai says its location makes it a good place for Chinese companies to open tourism-related businesses.

Lakshitha Raynayake, consul general of Sri Lanka, in Shanghai. /CGTN Photo

“Sri Lanka is the center and becoming the commercial hub day by day,” said Raynayake. “That's why we are inviting Chinese investors to go to Sri Lanka, especially companies who are in tourism related businesses.”

Sri Lanka's economy relies heavily on tourism and China is already its second biggest source of tourists. Growth in tourists from China increased 162 percent between 2011 and 2015. About 2.2 million tourists visited the country in 2016.

Sri Lanka, an important country along the Belt and Road, wants to attract four million tourists a year by 2020.