Sri Lankan government to develop Mannar as a tourism destination with Canadian assistance
Sri Lanka’s Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga has reportedly said that the Sri Lankan government will develop Mannar as a tourism destination by building on the efforts of the Canadian government on modernizing infrastructure.
Amaratunga has said that he will be sending officials from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority to Mannar to evaluate how the government should conserve attractions and develop the district for tourism.
“We want to bring investors to Mannar to open hotels, restaurants and recreation centres,” he has been quoted as saying in the media.
According to the report, the accommodation capacity of Mannar District is currently below 500, official data showed. Just one project with 52 rooms had got final approval for construction from the government over the past 8 years.
Amaratunga has observed that while working to increase investor interest in Mannar tourism, the government will also support the development of homestay units.
Reports state that the government will work on improving the basic infrastructure Mannar needs in the form of better roads, electricity and water accessibility.
The media has reported that the Mannar Improving Competitiveness in Tourism programme (MIC Tourism), a Canadian initiative launched last week to attract more visitors to Mannar, received praise from Amaratunga.
“On behalf of the government, let me thank the Canadian government and the World University Services Canada for all they have done,” Amaratunga has said.
MIC Tourism has created promotional content for Mannar and these highlight the Adam’s Bridge, the Wilpattu National Park, the Madu Church, Hindu Kovils, colonial architecture, marine resources, Mannar culture and the baobab tree.
OSL take:
The Sri Lankan government is engaged in a massive tourism promotions drive and the country’s tourism sector has recorded a continuous growth in the past few years. The increase in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka has resulted in the need for the further development of tourism related infrastructure facilities in the country. The development of the hotels and leisure sector along with homestay units have opened up many business opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/07082018/Z_1 |