Infrastructure and human resources vital in improving tourism

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

COLOMBO: Formulating a set of standards and regulations in consultation with stakeholders and communities is very important in improving Intra Regional Tourism to ensure that the type of tourism the country promotes is good,sustainable and responsible, said the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism M.P. Leelaratne.

He said this at the seminar on Promotion of Intra SAARC Tourism organised by the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka held at the Cinamon Grand Hotel Colombo on Monday.

He said the role of the government is to improve infrastructure and human resources in developing intra regional tourism. Connectivity through road,sea and air is also very vital so we have lot to do in improving this while learning from other countries, he said.

Director General South Asia and SAARC Grace Asiriwadam pointed out the importance of working towards marketing the region as one product while focusing on promoting intra regional tourism. She said that tourism is a fast growing industry without boundaries and Intra Regional Tourism is becoming a worldwide trend.

Asiriwadam pointed out that it is also necessary to develop advanced information technology on tourism development efforts, research,market intelligence among member countries for exchange of information to develop a common strategy.