'Govt. has taken every possible step to take tourism industry forward'

 

Minister Anura Bandaranaike

This meeting is jointly organised by the Government and the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the private sector organisations in the travel and tourism sector, synchronising the 'South Asian Tourism Year', which was declared by the Heads of States of SAARC Governments at the twelfth SAARC Summit, held in Islamabad in January, 2004. We are issuing a stamp in honour and distributing picture-postcards, to commemorate the South Asian Tourism Year. We will be, perhaps, the first Member State, to issue a SAARC Tourism Stamp. We are, indeed, glad we were able to do this.

The purpose of this meeting, is to continue with our efforts towards the development of tourism in South Asia, for the benefit of our peoples in this region. By doing so, we are fulfilling a long-felt need for increased cooperation, not only to promote tourism within South Asia, but also to project South Asia as an emerging and dynamic tourist destination.

World tourism enjoys well over 750 Million tourist arrivals, at present. Of which, South Asia's share is around 8 Million, with a steady growth of 20 per cent in 2004. However, in the first quarter of this year, the arrivals in South Asia dropped by 7 per cent. The causes are the lingering effects of the December 26 tsunami, which devastated tourism in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, which was beyond our control horrendous with make. But that is all history now.

We have recovered much faster than expected, due to many positive factors, including increased air travel frequencies augmenting international and intra-regional travel.

But this is not sufficient. South Asia has recorded a growth of only 6 per cent. China continues to be a dominant force and has added more than one Million additional arrivals each month, during the first quarter.

We must work hard on our strategic moves such as to have the right tourism plants and position them vividly, to depict the unique and diverse selling points. We must take full advantage of the rapid travel expansion in Asia.

We need to progress on par with aggressive competitors in other regions. They have overtaken us on infrastructure development and vigorous marketing campaigns. We must also improve our ability to react to wider 'external shocks', such as tsunamis, that are hitherto considered beyond industry's and our of our control and insight become a recurring phenomena.

Our region has a lot to offer, beyond traditional attractions. The latest trend moves the leisure tourists towards culture, nature and adventure. Our historic cities, abundance of nature, mountains, cascading waterfalls, wildlife, needed be marketed overseas, to the travel trade and to the consumers effectively, through right communication channels.

Intra-regional travel will also form a vital part in our efforts to promote tourism in our region. Activity-oriented holidays have to be packaged, to attract the regional tourist. Windsurfing, diving, golfing, shopping, trekking, are becoming tourist attractions. Our biggest strength is the warm, friendly and hospitable people in the region, whose charming and innocent smiles, have attracted tourists, down the centuries and still attract them, today. It is a smile that comes from the heart and that is what makes all the difference.

It is heartening to see, that all of us are now treading on a path to strengthen our tourism image.

As for Sri Lanka, you will witness the new products, upgraded plants, and the infrastructure development taken place, consistent with the Government policy of developing tourism to meet our market demands.

Our Government, through my Ministry and its agencies, namely the Sri Lanka Tourist Board and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, has taken every possible step, to take the tourism industry forward. This is an important industry that we have been developing, since the mid 60s. There are many reforms in the pipeline that will boost the tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka. We are working on expanding thousands of virgin land, where the lagoon meets the sea, just two hours from Colombo. There is a tremendous demand for land in this area, from 3-star hotels to chic boutique hotels. There are similar areas like this, which we are working on, for the expansion of the tourist industry. In the Eastern coast of Arugambay, we have the 3rd finest surfing in the world, but the infrastructure to sustain tourism remains at 'zero'. We are aiming at this target as well.

Trincomalee, which is the second largest natural harbour in the world, has some of the finest beaches and coves than anywhere I have seen. The masterplan for the development of Trincomalee will be ready shortly.

We have gone on to position ourselves as 'a land like no other'. It is true, in every sense of the word, that this small island of 25,000 sq. miles and its 19 million people, contains everything, which attracts tourists; from beaches to mountains, waterfalls, surfing, from heritage sites of 2,500 years and culture only paralleled by a few; the unique concept of seeing two of the world's largest animals, within 15 minutes; the blue seas of Trincomalee has dozens of Blue Whales throughout the year and the wild elephant roams the jungles only 15 minutes away.

Our region has produced a vast number of travel and tourism experts and they are the pillars of the industry.

Their counterparts in the region, who are present today, will, no doubt, have positive business dialogue with them. These are the professionals, who have undertaken the task with us, to overcome ill effects of the long-lasting internal conflict, and the tsunami, and to put Sri Lanka back on the tourism map of the world.

Our investment climate is fast improving. The projects to improve the national network of roads and power grids, are under way, and some of them have been placed on fast track. I must also mention that our national airline is contributing tremendously to our efforts, particularly, within the SAARC region, where flights have multiplied enormously, especially to India.

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, deserve our congratulations, for taking endeavours to convene this timely meeting, bringing together the Government Agencies and the private sector entrepreneurs under one roof, to show our solidarity in the region. Promoting tourism as the foremost industry in our region, is our declared objective.

We, in Southern Asia, have set an unparalleled world record for producing the first woman Prime Minister in the world, my mother, in 1960 the second woman Prime Minister in the world Indira Gandhi, 6 years later Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan, Begam Khalida Zia of Bangladesh, and Sheik Hazzina, President Chandrika Kumaratunga, and Madam Sonia Gandhi. They all took to politics in the aftermath of the violent assassinations of, either their husbands, or their fathers. Asia has shown the Western world that our women have the courage, the sagacity, and the determination, to complete the mission destiny had demanded of them.

George Bush, President of the United States of America, was questioned on dynasty politics:

I quote Mr. Bush: "Dynasty means something special. We don't inherit a vote or a presidency. You have to win it. We inherited great names, you cannot similarly inherit a vote."

This is one of the few occasions that I agree with President Bush. Our families have been represented through the will of the people, in free and fair elections, which is uncommon in the former British Empire, compared to some of the other Commonwealth countries in turmoil. Therefore, we, Asians have a common bondage.