New hands at Police Tourist Division to give better deal

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

COLOMBO: The Police Tourist Division started on June 2 has recruited new hands and is due to commence training shortly, Tourism Police Division Director SSP Maxi Proctor said.

Briefing the media at the Institute of Tourists, he said Police Posts and Police stations that have to be improved and upgraded have been identified and they were in the process of obtaining resources.

“Our aim is to protect tourists visiting Sri Lanka and send the message across the world that we are a hassle-free country,” he said.

The Tourist Police Division has taken action against the six complaints it received from Negombo, Mount Lavinia, Bentota and Hikkaduwa since the new division was established.

Niche Market, Tourism Advisory Committee Member Thilan Wijesinghe said that niche tourism products will be very important in the coming years because three per cent of tourists account for 30 per cent spending in the country.

He said this segment of tourists by definition value privacy, exclusivity and demand high standards.

“They come individually or as couples and they could spend three to four times per day more than others who come as groups,” Wijesinghe said.

He said all five members in the panel have realised the value of this niche product and have contributed towards it.

The panel has also advised the Tourism Minister on improving internal infrastructure such as roads, internal air transport and railway facilities and carrying out some public relation campaigns in several countries.