Sri Lanka expedites plans to boost the resumption of tourism industry
The government of Sri Lanka is reportedly stepping up efforts to boost the country’s tourism industry with new promotions to attract international travellers, subject to health guidelines.
Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has told the local media that the decision was taken after reviewing the progress of initiatives taken to accelerate the revival of the industry amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
As an immediate step, the Minister has instructed Sri Lanka Tourism officials to prepare a short-term road map to attract tourists in the coming months, local media reports stated.
A report in this regard detailing existing challenges, actions to be taken, promotion strategy with targeted countries, and packages to facilitate international tourists is to be presented to the Minister within a few days, the Daily FT has reported.
Ranatunga has reportedly requested that officials incorporate stakeholder insights into the roadmap as well while also denying allegations by the Opposition that the Covid-19 spread was due to the opening of the country for international travellers.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry was one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the country when the global Covid 19 pandemic brought about global travel restrictions. However, the country’s tourism industry is showing signs of returning to normalcy with a steady growth in tourist arrivals to the country. Sri Lanka has become an attractive post Covid travel destination with the island being listed as a must visit destination by several leading global travel publications and the country’s airports receiving the safety and hygiene certifications. Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities have also launched an aggressive promotional campaign to boost the industry further. All this has resulted in international hospitality brands expressing interest in entering the country. Therefore foreign businesses/investors could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/08072021/Z_7 |