COLOMBO, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- A promotional campaign for winter tourism in China was held in Colombo on Friday, with participation of nearly 100 guests from Sri Lanka's tourism sector, local businesses and Chinese enterprises operating in Sri Lanka.
The campaign, hosted by the China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka, is part of the local "Happy Chinese New Year" series of cultural events. Attendees of the campaign were given introductions to China's booming winter tourism sub-sector, as well as iconic wintertime tourist destinations such as Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces.
Addressing the event, Ni Lisheng, chief of the China Cultural Center in Sri Lanka, said that "winter economy" has in recent years become a powerful force driving the growth of China's tourism sector, with all regions in China actively creating unique tourism experiences in this regard.
He hoped that members of the Sri Lankan tourism industry can gain a deeper understanding of the charm of winter tourism in China, and promote greater cooperation between the two sides in the tourism sector.
Noting that Sri Lanka is witnessing a growing middle class community, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Buddhika Hewawasam, said more Sri Lankan people are now looking for opportunities to travel abroad and that the appeal of China as a tourist destination is growing even more.
He added that the development of winter tourism in China also presents fresh opportunity for Sri Lanka to expand its outbound tourism industry. ■