Tourism Development and Christian Affairs Minister John Amaratunga has been elected Vice Chair of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly by the Committee on South Asia.

Five other Vice Chairs were also elected to the leading international organization responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

The appointment comes as Sri Lanka embarks on an ambitious plan to become a global tourism hub within the next three years.

On the sidelines of the biannual summit Minister Amaratunga also held discussions with Secretary General of the UNWTO Dr. Taleb Rifai.

More than 1300 delegates from over 130 countries attended the opening of the 22nd session of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly.