As an important step towards strengthening regional tourism and cross-border cultural ties, Shri M. Vinod, President of the Association of Andaman Tour Operators (AATO), participated in the Official Familiarization Tour (FAM) of Sri Lanka from 14th May to 20th May 2025.
The tour, jointly organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Board and the Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO), brought together key tourism stakeholders from India to experience Sri Lanka’s tourism offerings first-hand.
The study tour was aimed at promoting collaboration between the Indian and Sri Lankan tourism industries, with a particular focus on spiritual tourism, cultural tourism routes and sustainable tourism practices. The participation of Mr. M. Vinod was significant as it brought representation of India’s famous island tourism destination – the Andaman and Nicobar Islands – to the international tourism arena.
The core objective of the study tour was to establish direct links between Indian tour operators and the Sri Lankan tourism framework. The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Board (SLTPB), a government agency under the Ministry of Tourism of Sri Lanka, organized the event to strengthen regional collaboration, increase tourist arrivals and create a better understanding of the island nation’s rapidly developing tourism infrastructure.
Key objectives include:
Promote the shared Buddhist heritage of India and Sri Lanka.
Showcase Sri Lanka’s post-pandemic tourism recovery.
Demonstrate successful sustainable tourism practices.
Establish cooperative packages between tour operators in both countries.
Encourage direct connectivity and travel between island destinations such as the Andamans and Sri Lanka.
The participation of AATO Chairman Shri M. Vinod in the study tour to Sri Lanka is a milestone in strengthening ties between two of the most vibrant island tourism destinations in the Indian Ocean. It reflects the South Asian region’s shift towards an integrated tourism strategy driven by sustainability, spirituality and smart cooperation.
As tourism in both countries thrives in the post-pandemic era, such initiatives are critical to building trust, expanding markets and sharing expertise. For stakeholders in the Andaman Islands, Sri Lanka and beyond, this visit marks the beginning of a promising chapter in regional tourism cooperation.
