Another feather in cap

Manama : Bahrain-based leading businessman Dr Varghese Kurian has been appointed as Honorary Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs (International) in Sri Lanka.

He was inducted to the position at a ceremony held in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo. 

“The appointment is in consideration of Varghese Kurian’s extremely good connection with the tourism industry in Sri Lanka,” the Deputy Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs  Arundika Fernando stated in a letter to Dr Kurian. 

‘In addition to the your esteemed knowledge and experience with matters relating to tourism and hospitality management, it gives me added confidence that you would be able to successfully hold this position and provide professional guidance and advice to the tourism industry in Sri Lanka,’ the letter read. 

In response to his new appointment, Dr Kurian said he considered it a great honour to be associated with Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.

“Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has been registering a steady growth over the years, and a large number of Gulf nationals consider this as a perfect tourism destination,” he said, adding that Gulf Air’s recent decision to resume its flights to Colombo will further strengthen the tourism ties between the two.

He also announced that the Sri Lankan tourism department would organise a series of road shows in Bahrain and other Gulf countries in March.

 Dr  Kurian,  the recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from the President of India, is the chairman of the VKL Holdings and Al Namal Group of Companies. 

He is the largest Indian investor in Bahrain and his businesses include real estate, property development and management, construction, health and hospitality services.