Minister stresses President's call to promote tourism

Shirajiv Sirimane

PROMOTION: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed the Sri Lanka Tourist Board (SLTB) to promote regional tourism in a more aggressive manner, said the acting Minister of Tourism Faizer Mustafa.

Speaking to the Daily News at an event organised to meet the industry stakeholders, he said that the President is very keen to promote tourism. The region has a huge population and due to strong airlines and the visa on arrival policy Sri Lanka can attract more regional tourists.

Already Indian arrivals have overtaken the European tourists and new programmes would be launched in this regard, he said.

He also said that the Government is looking at a proposal by the industry to call off the move to charge US $ 10 as a visa fee.

"We feel that charging US $ 10 from a visitor to the country is not needed now," he said. Minister said that presently the industry is running through three of different directions and urged the Industry, Sri Lanka Tourist Board and the Ministry of Tourism to work together to promote the business.

The Tourist Board also announced a discount for the participants from the ITB exhibition in Berlin next March. However, the industry said they needed more incentives from the Government and the Minister promised to look into this matter.

He also directed the SLTB to trim down on costs for the ITB without compromising quality. Chairman SLTB, Udaya Nanayakkara said that this year they would be having an open booth concept at the next ITB, which would be similar to the Maldives stand at the last WTM in London.