Visa bolsters SL’s tourism revival with Asia Pacific Leadership Summit in Colombo

From left: Visa Group Country Manager- India & South Asia Sandeep Ghosh, Visa Regional President- Asia Pacific Stephen Karpin  and  Visa Country Manager-Sri Lanka & Maldives Avanthi Colombage

Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

In a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s tourism ambitions, global payments giant Visa announced it will host the Asia Pacific Leadership Summit in Colombo.

The move is a key part of a strategic partnership with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) aimed at re-establishing the nation as a premier destination for both leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions) tourism.

The summit, which will see Visa’s senior leadership from across the Asia-Pacific region convene in Colombo for a three-day event, underscores the company’s long-term commitment to the island’s economic progress and digital transformation. This initiative follows a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Visa and the SLTPB.

Speaking at a press conference held in Colombo this week, Visa Regional President for Asia Pacific Stephen Karpin outlined that the collaboration is expected to drive inbound travel and increase tourist spending through a multi-pronged approach. Key among these strategies is the digitisation of major tourist corridors using Visa’s advanced acceptance solutions. Furthermore, the partnership will focus on empowering micro and small businesses (MSMEs) within the tourism sector through financial literacy and skills development programmes, with educational modules to be hosted on the SLTPB website.

Karpin affirmed the strategic importance of the Sri Lankan market. “Sri Lanka is an important strategic market for Visa in our APAC and global business agenda. We have been serving in this country for over 37 years,” he stated. “The MoU signing and our leadership summit currently being held at Colombo, reflect our intent and continuous commitment to partner Sri Lanka in advancing its tourism aspirations and transition to a digitally driven economy.” Echoing these sentiments, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam in a statement highlighted the mutual benefits of the alliance. 

“This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to digital innovation, ensuring that Sri Lanka remains a premier destination for global travellers while upholding our nation’s rich cultural heritage,” said Hewawasam. 

He extended his gratitude to Visa for selecting Sri Lanka for its leadership conference, a move that directly promotes MICE tourism.

Visa’s support for Sri Lanka extends beyond this new partnership. The company has a history of collaboration with national stakeholders, including ongoing work with SLTDA to expand payment acceptance and support regional training initiatives. 

Visa has also been actively involved in influencer-led campaigns and merchant education to promote digital payment adoption in tourist zones.