"This agreement will see Mastercard and Sri Lanka tourism exploring implementing activities targeted at Sri Lanka tourism market," Mastercard Worldwide (South Asia) President T V Sheshadri told reporters here.
He said the company will promote Sri Lankan tourism in India through several initiatives.
At present, India is Sri Lanka's largest inbound travel market. Over 1.5 lakh Indians visited Sri Lanka in 2011, which is over 20 per cent of the total arrivals.
Sheshadri said there were 12.9 crore Mastercard holders in India.
SLTPB Head Rumy Jauffer said they target at least 1 lakh Indian tourists through the partnership with Mastercard.
"This alliance underscores our optimism regarding the potential of Sri Lanka's tourism industry," Sheshadri said.
Tourism development, a key element in the island's post- conflict growth, is expected to attract 2.5 million arrivals from across the globe by 2016, SLTPB said, adding that Sri Lanka has made concerted efforts to improve the tourist industry infrastructure.
