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Sri Lanka’s tourism sector to launch national initiative to develop industry

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector to launch national initiative to develop industry

Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has reportedly said that a national initiative is to be implemented through a joint action that would include the Provincial Councils and Local Government institutions to revive the tourism industry in the post Covid 19 scneario.
“One tourism development plan should be implemented in the country. The Government is currently working on a joint action plan that is being prepared with that objective in mind,” the Minister has been quoted as saying.

The Minister has made this observation while resuming duties at the Tourism Ministry after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
Ranatunga has reportedly said that the aim of the government of Sri Lanka is to develop the tourism industry to a higher level than it was before the pandemic.
“The Ministry, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Central Government, the Provincial Councils and the Local Government institutions should work together in the implementation of projects related to the tourism sector,” he has stated.
Noting that 99% of the tourism sector is dependent on the private sector, he has further noted that it was the responsibility of the Sri Lankan government to provide them with the related support and training to uplift the industry.

“It is not the policy of the Government to obstruct the progression of the tourism industry through laws and regulations. As regulators, we must facilitate the growth of the private sector-driven tourism industry,” he has added according to the Daily FT.
According to the Minister, a number of projects related to the tourism sector have been identified at District level for this purpose.
Keeping in line with the national policy framework, the Minister has noted that the tourism industry is being modernised as an eco-friendly, local, culturally friendly and widely participatory industry.
“The Ministry and the SLTDA are planning to make the necessary allocations after the Regional Coordinating Committee and District Coordinating Committee submits the proposals identified by the officials,” he has said.
The Minister has observed that two officers each from the Tourism Ministry and the SLTDA have been appointed to implement this programme in all districts of the country.

OSL take:

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry was one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the country when the global Covid 19 pandemic lockdown last year restricted global travel. However, Sri Lanka reopened its borders in January this year snd has continuously reviewed and eased restrictions for foreign visitors to the country. With Sri Lanka being awarded the safety and hygiene certification as well as being listed as a must visit destination by several leading global travel publications, the island has attracted foreign travellers to the country. The increasing number of international airlines flying to Sri Lanka and increasing the number of flights is indicative of the country’s tourism industry that is on the path to revival. This has created new business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

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Article Code : VBS/AT/20210423/Z_1

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