Sri Lanka, one of the top two emerging hotel and resort markets in Asia, is to host the first Asia Hotel and
Tourism Investment Conference (AHTIC), a top-level gathering of international investors, business leaders,
government ministers and officials. President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Maithripala Sirisena, is supporting the
conference as patron and speaking at the presidential residence in Colombo, the venue for the official launch,
he said: "Sri Lanka has everything you need to be a fantastic destination, from awe-inspiring ancient cities,
beautiful beaches and colorful coral reefs to mist-shrouded mountains, spectacular sights and wonderful
wildlife. With the new measures we are putting in place to attract foreign investment, I am confident that Sri
Lanka will become an equally attractive place to make money as it is to take a holiday."The conference is being
organised by Bench Events, and managing director, Matthew Weihs, said: "Sri Lanka is a perfect place to
launch our Asia conference. The country's tourism development authority has prepared an ambitious
strategic plan, inviting private and public stakeholders to tackle both the industry's long-standing needs and
the future potential of the country as a tourism destination."A record two million tourists are expected to
arrive in Sri Lanka this year and government ministers are anticipating this figure will double by
2020.Matthew Weihs said: "The conference will cover every aspect of tourism investment throughout Asia
Pacific. This is a fast-growing tourism development region and there will be substantial opportunities to
network with other delegates and to exchange thoughts and ideas on the sector. The conference will also
stimulate dialogue between business and government."According to the World Travel and Tourism Council,
the direct contribution of the industry to the Asia Pacific region was USD694.1bn (3.0% of total GDP) in
2014, and is forecast to rise by 9% per annum, from 2015-2025, to USD1,177.1bn (3.2% of total GDP) in
2025.Co-Organizer and Founder Sponsor Dr Prabath Chandima Ukkwatte, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Club,
concluded: "Colombo has been the host of several high-profile international conferences but with the
establishment of AHTIC as a regular international event, we will, for the first time, become the home of an
important international business meeting that will build in stature and influence as it grows from year to
year." The AHTIC conference will take place on November 27-29 at the Hilton Colombo in Sri Lanka. For more
information visit www.asia-conference.com.