KATHMANDU:
Mumthazer Mahir Elected President of IAASL at 38th Annual General Meeting in Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal – 17 September 2026
The IATA Agents Association of Sri Lanka (IAASL) successfully concluded its 38th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 17 September 2026 at the Dusit Princess Hotel, Kathmandu, Nepal, marking an important occasion for Sri Lanka’s travel agency community and strengthening industry ties between Sri Lanka and Nepal.
The AGM brought together representatives from more than 60 travel companies, along with airline, tourism and industry stakeholders, demonstrating the continued strength and engagement of Sri Lanka’s IATA-accredited travel agency community.
The occasion was graced by Her Excellency Ruwanthi Delpitiya, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, whose presence highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between Sri Lanka and Nepal, particularly in the fields of tourism, travel and aviation.
Mumthazer Mahir Elected President for 2026/2027
A key highlight of the AGM was the election of Mr. Mumthazer Mahir, Managing Director of The Travel Port (Pvt) Ltd, as President of the IATA Agents Association of Sri Lanka for 2026/2027.
With more than three decades of experience in the travel and tourism industry, Mr. Mahir brings extensive knowledge and practical experience in airline distribution, outbound tourism, ticketing, travel agency operations and industry development.
Addressing the membership following his election, Mr. Mahir expressed his sincere appreciation for the trust and confidence placed in him and reaffirmed his commitment to serving the Association and its members.
He emphasised the importance of unity, professional standards, stronger industry representation and closer collaboration with airlines, government authorities, tourism bodies and other stakeholders as the Association moves forward.
Mahir also paid special tribute to his mentor and Guru, Mr. Rizmi Reyal, Chairman of The Traveller Global (Pvt) Ltd, acknowledging his invaluable guidance, mentorship and contribution to his professional development throughout his career.
Reflecting on his journey in the travel industry, Mr. Mahir recognised the many individuals, colleagues and industry leaders who had contributed to his professional growth and expressed his determination to use that experience to contribute towards the continued development of Sri Lanka’s travel agency sector.
Strengthening Regional Industry Cooperation
The AGM was attended by distinguished representatives from the aviation and tourism sectors, including representatives associated with SriLankan Airlines and its industry partner network. Their participation reinforced the importance of continued cooperation between airlines and the travel agency community in responding to the evolving needs of travellers and the aviation industry.
The event also welcomed representatives from prominent Nepalese tourism organisations, including the Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepal Association of Tour & Travel Agents (NATTA).
Their participation provided an important opportunity to strengthen professional relationships between the two countries and explore greater cooperation in tourism promotion, travel trade development and bilateral tourism opportunities between Sri Lanka and Nepal.
The AGM provided members with a platform to exchange views on developments and challenges affecting the IATA-accredited travel agency community and to discuss opportunities for closer engagement with airlines, tourism authorities, government institutions and other industry stakeholders.
A Stronger Voice for Sri Lanka’s Travel Agency Community
The IATA Agents Association of Sri Lanka represents the interests of IATA-accredited travel agents in Sri Lanka and plays an important role in maintaining dialogue between travel agents, airlines, IATA, government authorities and other stakeholders.
Under its newly elected leadership, the Association will continue its efforts to strengthen industry representation, promote professional standards, encourage constructive dialogue and support the sustainable development of Sri Lanka’s travel and aviation sectors.
The Association extended its sincere appreciation to Her Excellency the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Nepal, airline representatives, the Nepal Tourism Board, NATTA, tourism and industry partners, IAASL members and all stakeholders whose presence and support contributed towards the successful conclusion of the 38th Annual General Meeting in Kathmandu.
