"The IATA summit brings together the best in global aviation to share and discuss their learning in harnessing the full potential of their people resource," the airline releasing a statement said.

The three day summit scheduled to begin on November 12 will also look at human capital challenges faced by the aviation industry.

The summit is expected to attract a large number of human capital heads and trainers from airlines, airports and aviation authorities from around the world.

The air travel summit will focus on issues such as attracting and retaining talent, developing the next generation of global aviation leaders, cost management, service, and use of advanced technology.

Sri Lankan airlines said the bid to host the summit was part of an overall strategy to help Sri Lanka position itself as a global aviation hub.

"The IATA Global Human Capital Summit comes to Sri Lanka at an opportune time as we finally come close to realizing the island's full potential to be an air hub," Nishantha Wickremasinghe, chairman, Sri Lankan Airlines said in the statement.

Sri Lanka is aiming to attract 2.5 million visitors by 2016 and a 30 percent compounded growth over five years.

The industry will need a massive effort in human resource development to sustain the growth momentum, the airline said.

The summit will give Sri Lanka's aviation industry the exposure and expertise to manage its hub ambitions, the airline said.

"We have chosen Sri Lanka for its position at the heart of Asia," Guido Gianasso, IATA'S vice president of human capital was quoted as saying in the statement.

"The Island has a growing tourism industry, a well educated and client oriented population and a dynamic airline which is providing great support in organizing this event,"

The summit which is on track to become an annual event was launched last year in Singapore by the IATA, a leading aviation industry trade group representing around 240 airlines.

The summit is viewed as a gathering of key decision makers from human resource management departments of the aviation industry.

The November summit in Colombo is expected to draw over 150 participants, the airline said.