Sri Lanka tourism to implement ‘homestay’ concept
The Morning: The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans in Sri Lanka discussed the Government’s goal to attract five million tourists to the country in the year 2024.
The matter was discussed along with the simultaneous preparation of infrastructure development at a committee meeting held on 8 December, under the Chairmanship of Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
Addressing the Committee, officials of the Ministry of Tourism and Lands mentioned that they have planned to implement the homestay concept, while officials also pointed out that plans have been made to bring wealthy tourists to Sri Lanka in the coming year.
Furthermore, in order to attract more tourists to Sri Lanka, the Committee pointed out that the general society of Sri Lanka should be prepared to welcome such tourists in a respectful manner, as opposed to cheating them out of their money. The officials pointed out that training programmers are already being conducted in selected areas.
Furthermore, the Committee also pointed out that it is important to identify the places with tourist attractions at the local level and prepare methods to promote them.
In addition, approval was given following consideration of the 2022 annual report of the Ministry of Tourism and Lands, the 2020 annual report of the Tourism Promotion Bureau, the 2022 annual report of the Ministry of Industry and the 2022 annual report of the Registrar of Companies Department, the 2019/2020 annual reports of Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka Limited, the 2021/2022 annual reports of Lanka Phosphate Limited, the 2020 annual report of the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is on a steady growth path and is once again a key revenue generator for the country. The continuous growth in tourist arrivals to the country and the increase in the number of flights operated by international airlines to Sri Lanka are indicative of this growth. The growing tourism industry has also opened up a host of new business/investment opportunities especially in the leisure and hospitality sectors. The ongoing promotional campaigns carried out by local authorities in key tourist source markets and Sri Lanka being identified as a must visit tourist destination by the international media have all helped boost the country’s tourism industry. The promotion of new tourism concepts has also opened a new business for local entrepreneurs in the form of establishing home stays for tourists visiting the country. Given the growth and business potential in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, foreign businesses/investors could explore the expanding opportunities in the industry, especially in the leisure and hospitality sectors while also looking at forming partnerships or joint ventures with local businesses with the aim of promoting home stays.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20231220/Z_1 |