Sri Lanka works towards ensuring a safe and secure environment to boost tourism industry
The government of Sri Lanka has reportedly announced new initiatives to secure and revive the tourism industry.
The first in the series of initiatives is Covid 19 vaccination programme carried out targeting tourism stakeholders. Vaccinating tourism staff on the frontline commenced on Monday (12) at DoubleTree by Hilton in Weerawila under the observation of Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and Youth and Sports Minister and Digital Technology and Enterprise Development State Minister Namal Rajapaksa.
The program is to also be extended to safari drivers at Shangri-La Hotel in Hambantota; other vaccination centres include Anantara Hotel in Tangalle and in Tangalle Town Hall.
Nearly 18,000 tourism frontline workers including employees of Level 1 Safe and Secure certified hotels, certified tour guides, drivers and other hotel employees are waiting to get their vaccines against Covid-19 in the first phase, local media reports stated.
The Sri Lankan government has also decided to permit tourist visa holders for inter-provincial travel.
Sri Lanka’s Tourism Ministry has implemented the move following President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s instructions.
The Ministry has reportedly stated that tourist visa holders who are vaccinated and have received negative PCR test results can move with the community, while those travellers not vaccinated but completed the quarantine period are allowed for inter-provincial visits within the bio-bubble.
The passport and the vaccination certificate will be considered valid documents for inter-provincial travel.
The Tourism Ministry has also sought Cabinet approval to set up a laboratory facility at the Bandaranaike Internet Airport (BIA) to provide PCR test results within three hours to all tourists, enabling a hassle-free experience from the airport to reach their final destination.
Meanwhile, several rounds of discussions were held under the patronage of Minister Ranatunga with the Board of Airlines Representatives (BAR) to implement successful concessional travel packages to attract international travellers.
The government of Sri Lanka is reportedly targeting a significant number of tourists to the country by the end of this year with a strong commitment to implement the plan under strict health and safety guidelines.
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, Sri Lanka has witnessed a steady growth in tourist arrivals to the country since it re-opened it’s borders early this year. The government of Sri Lanka has also taken measures to further ease travel restrictions for foreign visitors to the country following the successful implementation of the Covid 19 vaccination drive. Sri Lanka’s airports have also received internationally recognised safety and hygiene certifications that has made the island an attractive destination in post Covid travel. Sri Lanka has been listed as a must visit destination by several leading global travel publications and the country’s tourism authorities have also carried out several promotional campaigns that have attracted the foreign market. It is in this backdrop that several international hospitality brands have expressed interest in entering the country after identifying the potential for growth and expansion in the industry. Foreign businesses/investors could therefore confidently explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20210715/Z_3 |