Sri Lanka is the place to be for travellers’ post-Covid 19 says country’s Tourism Chief
Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando has reportedly invited global investors to explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, which is the place to be for travellers’ post-Covid.
“There are many opportunities in the tourism industry to be explored by potential investors,” she has been quoted as saying at the Sri Lanka Investment Forum.
Fernando has explained that tax holidays and exemptions have been provided to make Sri Lanka more attractive to investors. “We have streamlined the investment process. A master document for all approvals has been made, merging all Government line agencies, thereby making it a single application when you invest in tourism.”
According to her, a one-stop-unit has been set up to facilitate all tourism related investments.
The Tourism Chief has further stated that the one-stop-unit has resulted in an increase in investment approvals in the tourism industry in the last year as compared to 2019.
“Sri Lanka Tourism supports investors right throughout the process to resolve regulatory issues related to approvals,” Fernando has observed.
Local media reports have also stated that the Tourism Chief had also outlined the wide range of tourism-related industries and sectors that can be explored by potential investors. “We are creating a land bank to assist investors. There is over 1.5 million square foot of upcoming shopping malls in Colombo and a VAT refund for purchases over $ 300 has been approved to support retail tourism. We have two main international airports and a few domestic airports with great airline connectivity.”
As post-Covid tourism, Fernando has reportedly said travellers will gravitate more towards health and well-being spaces and unique experiences.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka is being promoted as a must visit destination in post-Covid travel. Foreign travellers started to return to Sri Lanka after the country reopened its borders after the global travel restrictions during the peak of Covid 19. Sri Lanka is fast becoming a business hub in the South Asian region and has also been listed as a must visit destination by several leading global travel publications. Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is also focused on promoting Colombo as a tourism hub in the region. Foreign businesses/investors could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20210611/Z_2 |