Aug 06, Colombo: Sri Lanka will play host to a major global aviation summit that will bring key decision makers in the industry to capital Colombo in November this year.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will host a three- day Global Aviation Human Capital Summit in Colombo from 13 to 15 November, an industry official said Monday.

The by invitation only summit is designed to bring together key decision makers from across the aviation industry to share best practices in human capital management and development.

According to the organizers, the event is for key-decision makers in human capital across the worldwide air transport industry, the global heads of Human Capital, their deputies and the global heads of Training and Development from airlines, airports and aviation authorities.

"The summit provides its participants with a unique forum to discuss challenges, explore synergies, and identify solutions that can be adapted to fit the dynamic needs of the industry," SriLankan Airlines Head of Human Resource Pradeepa Kekulawala has said.

The summit is seen as a boost to the tourism industry in Sri Lanka which targets one million tourist arrivals this year to market Sri Lanka as a choice venue for international conferences.

This year the summit is primarily sponsored by Sri Lanka's national carrier SriLankan Airlines. Representatives of the aviation industry in over 53 countries are expected to participate in the summit.

Over 150 delegates from 53 countries participated in 2011 summit held in Singapore.

IATA, the 60-year old international trade body of airlines represents some 240 airlines comprising 84 percent of total air traffic.

The event is a part of IATA's continuing efforts to meet the exceptional human capital challenges faced by the industry.