‘Introducing more leisure yachts will be a money spinner’

Shirajiv SIRIMANE in Mirissa

YATCHING: Sri Lanka should look to woo leisure yachts to sail to the country said the Minister of Fisheries Felix Perera. This concept is widely used in the Maldives.

Minister speaking to the Daily News after launching the region’s first fisheries boat powered by fuel and sail at the Mirissa

 harbour said that over 500 luxury yachts go to the Maldives every month very close to this area.

“These yachts are occupied by millionaires and Sri Lanka should try to anchor in this area,” he said.

Minister said that they would have to build a marina bay (State parking area) for these yachts and provide them free access to visit the area.

Minister said that he would forward this proposal to the Ministry of Tourism and also seek the assistance from immigration to go ahead with this proposal.

He said that though Sri Lanka is surrounded by sea the export earnings from the sector is very low as countries like India, Malaysia, Indonesia earn over US $ 3 billion for a year, from the fish exports and related tourism activities like yachts to anchor.

He said that they could charge a fee of US $ 500 from each yacht for anchoring in the marina bay and the cottage industry and tourist hotels in the area would have additional income.

“The infrastructure in the area is very good with several star hotels in Koggala and Galle while there are so many tourist attractions such as the Galle fort and Light house to attract tourists,” he said.

Construction of a marina bay has a considerable initial investment and he said that they are looking at entities such as BAFF and the government for financial assistance.

“When this concept is a reality we would introduce it to other areas as well,” he said. Touring on the yachts allows total flexibility, maximizing a tourists surf time. Mirissa area is also famous for whale watching and this too could be promoted for tourists.

In the Maldives there are pompously built yachts which are equipped with showers, toilets, life-jackets, first aid kits, stereo, zodiac, snorkeling and fishing gear and are all fully crewed with Skipper, cook, deckhand and most importantly an expert surf guide to get you to the best waves at the right time.