Sri Lanka Tourism fast-tracks issuance of ‘Safe and Secure’ compliance certification
Sri Lanka Tourism has fast-tracked the issuance of the ‘Safe and Secure’ compliance certification to all Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) registered entities waiting to resume operations post-COVID-19, the Daily FT reported.
“We have received over 100 applications for the compliance certificate. KPMG has selected eight hotels in Colombo for the first group and they have been now informed. By next week, KPMG will visit these eight establishments unannounced,” Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando has told Daily FT.
The report states that SLTDA had recently awarded KPMG Sri Lanka the contract to issue ‘Safe and Secure’ COVID-19 safety standard compliance certification to registered accommodation and service providers.
The compliance certification is open to all accommodation providers and travel agents registered with SLTDA, which is the regulatory and standards setting body of the industry.
As part of recovery efforts, the SLTDA will roll out this compliance certification process to enhance cleanliness and hygiene practices for 650 tourism-related entities and individuals covering service providers as well as activity/attraction places in the first phase currently in operation.
Also, SLTDA is reportedly investing over Rs. 7 million in the first phase and first assessment will be free of charge and if the free-of-charge first inspection is failed, the hotel will have to bear the cost the second time.
According to the report, at present there are over 2,500 SLTDA registered entities.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the country. The listing of Sri Lanka as a must visit destinations by leading global travel publications and the interest shown by international hospitality brands to enter the Sri Lankan market, have expanded the business/investment opportunities the country’s tourism industry. Now the receipt of the global safety and hygiene stamp has places Sri Lanka at the top of the foreign travellers travel destinations. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/17082020/Z_5 |