Tourism will help eliminate poverty - Basil
The government's aim is to develop the tourism industry providing
welfare to all Sri Lankans. Tourism is one of the means that is used by
most developing nations to eradicate poverty, Economic Development
Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.
He said so after opening the Mount Resort Hotel in Kithulkanda, Meepe
recently.
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Economic Development Minister Basil
Rajapaksa at the Mount Resort
Hotel in Kithulkanda, Meepe |
This environment friendly hotel built on a hilltop comprises a row of
rooms that provide occupants 19 different views of the surrounding area.
Since the hotel is located above the satellite station, Padukka,
visitors have been provided with the facility of observing the night sky
from there.
The minister noted that the majority of tourists who arrived in the
country last year showed an interest in staying in small hotels rather
than the grand ones.
As a result, a major part of the income from the industry had reached
small businessmen leading to the emergence of small-scale entrepreneurs
in rural areas who produce food items, clothing, souvenirs and other
items which attract foreigners, he added.
Minister Rajapaksa said the World Tourism Organisation had predicted
tourism would rise to thrice the present level within the next decade.
"In future there will be more tourists from countries such as India,
China and Japan, according to the WTO," he said. This would greatly
contribute to Sri Lanka's tourism development, he said.
Senior Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Education Minister Bandula
Gunawardena and joint-Directors of Mount Resort Hotel Neil Kariyawasam
and Nishantha Bentara Arachchi were among those who attended the event.
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