More jobs under tourism expansion programme

Anjana Gamage

COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) has generated nearly 500 employment opportunities in the tourism sector under 51 new tourist establishments registered with the SLTB from January 1st to April, 30, 2006, Chairman SLTB Udaya Nanayakkara told the "Daily News".

According to the Chairman, the total investment in the 51 establishments were Rs. 882 million and this includes four hotels, 22 guest houses, eight restaurants, 11 travel agencies, one tourist shop, two spice gardens, two bread and breakfast outlets and one heritage home.

The four hotels that came into operation are Ambalama Leisure Lounge in Hanwella with 14 rooms, The Palms in Beruwala with 106 rooms, Talalla Retreat in Gandara with 32 rooms and Galway Beach in Beruwala with 54 rooms.

The new hotel rooms have increased the room capacity to 206,with an investment of Rs. 565 million and 211 employment opportunities created. At present there are 14,000 rooms and the target is for 25,000 rooms in 2010. Meanwhile the newly registered 22 guest houses consist of 216 rooms. The room capacity range from 5 to 18. The total investment for the 22 guest houses were Rs. 256 million. There were 177 employment opportunities created.

The investment in the eight new restaurants were Rs. 28 million and 44 employment opportunities were created.

"The increase in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka has created confidence with the investors that investment in tourism will generate dividends to them. Meanwhile there is a substantial increase in the domestic tourism market and locals dining out at many tourist restaurants", he said.