Sri Lankan government looking at promoting cruise tourism in the country by introducing new concessions
The Sri Lankan government is considering the possibilities of providing concessions to foreign travelers arriving in the country on ships with the aim of promoting cruise tourism in the island nation.
The local media has stated that the necessary changes are expected to be made to tariff system and voyage fees of passengers in accordance with suggestions made by the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Transport and Communication.
The Committee has reportedly considered the regulations under section 321 of the Merchant Shipping Act, No. 52 of 1971 and appreciated it since these regulations enhance the standards of the tourism sector.
Also, it has suggested that a voyage fees of US$ 8 charged per passenger per day be charged as local and foreign separately and the tariff system should be changed on a proportional basis instead of per day.
According to reports, Sri Lanka attracts approximately 25,000 cruise passengers a year.
Statistics of the Ministry of Ports and Shipping has noted that the country handles approximately 35 to 45 cruise ships for a year.
The Ministry of Tourism has been directed to take immediate action to create a cruise tourism promotion strategic plan to put forward the country in to the global height, a top official of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs has been quoted as saying in the media report.
While the overall increase in arrivals augurs well for the sector, the Tourism Ministry is also seeking to target the higher end of the tourism market including cruise tourism to boost revenue per visitor, a policy underscored by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe recently.
Cruise tourism has seen a substantial growth in Sri Lanka with numbers going from 18 cruise line visits in 2011, 22 liners in 2014 and currently at 40 visits from liners, the media report has further stated.
Meanwhile, the recent Asian Cruise Trends Report has stated that already 52 ships are being deployed in Asia with over 1000 cruises and voyages being scheduled.
OSL take:
The promotion of cruise tourism is a new concept to be addressed by the Sri Lankan government. The granting of concessions to travelers arriving in the country by ship would promote cruise tourism in the days to come. Therefore, businesses keen on engaging in the country’s tourism sector could look at ways to bring in more tourists to Sri Lanka through cruise liners. Also, an increase in the number of tourists arriving in the country by ship could result in the need for the development of necessary infrastructure like hotels, shopping arcades, entertainment complexes near the ports where the ships would dock. Given Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is on an upward trend, foreign investors could look at the investment opportunities in the sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20180314/Z_4 |