Sri Lanka identifies 38 sites for new tourism corridor
The Morning: Thirty-eight sites have been identified for development within the Pinnawala-Kitulgala tourism corridor as part of the Government’s plan to fast-track the development of the area into a tourism zone, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) reveals.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando stated that the SLTDA had already held 2-3 rounds of discussions with the relevant Local Government (LG) authorities for the establishment of the Pinnawala-Kitulgala tourism corridor as a tourism zone and that the LG authorities had already identified around 38 sites to be developed in the area.
“The local authorities have identified the places to be developed because, under the previous budget, certain fund allocations were made for their development. It is being discussed. We will also get involved, determine the priorities, and take it forward. There is a lot of potential in that area from a tourism perspective, but we will have to improve the site conditions,” he added.
Fernando also said that the development of the tourism corridor would be a joint effort between the SLTDA, local authorities, Government agencies, and the relevant district development committees.
However, he said that they were yet to determine the modalities for carrying out the development of the corridor: “The modalities will have to be worked out – who will be monitoring, who will be undertaking the development, and so on.”
According to Fernando, the development of the corridor will be an all-inclusive project aimed at improving the infrastructure in the area and promoting it.
During the 2024 Budget speech, President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance unveiled plans to fast-track the development of the corridor as a tourism zone.
“The Kitulgala white water rafting area, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, and other tourist attractions around it are being developed as a tourist zone. The Rambukkana entrance of the Central Expressway is being used for that purpose. The proposed Galigamuwa New Town is being promoted as the hub of this tourism region. Rs. 750 million is allocated to implement this project as a joint programme within a period of three years,” he stated.
OSL take:
With Sri Lanka’s tourism industry on a steady growth path with an increase in tourist arrivals to the country, local tourism authorities are focused on further exploring new tourism concepts along with new tourism sites. Combined with the ongoing promotional campaigns in key foreign tourist source markets, the programmes carried out by the tourism authorities have resulted in the growth of the tourism industry. All this growth in the local tourism industry has resulted in the expansion of business/investment opportunities in the industry. There are business/investment opportunities in the development of infrastructure and supplementary infrastructure facilities required by the growing tourism industry while also witnessing more opportunities in the leisure and hospitality sectors. The expansion in tourism concepts and sites have increased the opportunities in the many sectors under the tourism industry. Given the growth and business potential in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, foreign businesses/investors could confidently explore the expanding opportunities in the industry.