Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister calls stakeholders to increase entertainment activities for tourists
Tourism Development Minister of Sri Lanka, John Amaratunga has reportedly called on hoteliers and stakeholders of the tourism sector to recommence nightclub and casino operations to attract more young tourists to Sri Lanka.
He has noted that the young tourists needed to be provided with a wider range of enjoyable activities.
“Our casinos are no doubt an attraction for many Indians, but the complaint that I get from the Indian authorities often is that there isn’t enough entertainment in the city of Colombo and outstations. This is a key reason why most Indians go to other competitive destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Younger people look for entertainment in the night, although others want to enjoy at the later part of the day,” Amaratunga has told journalists in Colombo.
The Minister has reportedly insisted that late-night entertainment activities are very important, particularly for the younger generation, and is an area that the industry should work on to woo tourists.
“I have been telling The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) that they should start their nightclubs. At least now they should think of it, because this is one way of attracting the younger Indian tourists to come to Sri Lanka,” he has noted.
However, the Minister has further stated that the Colombo hotels had to limit their entertainment business, due to continuous misbehaviour by locals.
“These clubs were functioning very well, but those bad elements are no longer visiting the nightclubs. In those days, young boys from the political leaders patronised the venues, and misbehaved and picked fights every day, but those people are no more, and I think it’s time we start it again,” the Minister has added.
OSL take:
The statement by Sri Lanka’s Tourism Development Minister indicates new business/investment opportunities in the country’s tourism industry. The call for more entertainment activities to be set up in the country targeting young tourists could provide a lucrative business opportunity for the discerning investor.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/14062019/Z_5 |