Tourism can still be Lanka's number one forex earner

Shirajiv Sirimane

Tourism can still be a number one forex earner to Sri Lanka said Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Chairman Board of Directors, Brian Deeson.

Speaking to 'Daily News Business' after the conclusion of the 57th PATA AGM and Board Meeting in Colombo he said Sri Lankan tourism peaked in 1973 and it was the number one tourist destination in the region.

"I have visited the country many times and I am optimistic that country can once again reach great heights in tourism," he said.

He said Sri Lanka lately has adopted initiatives such as the Earth Lung, which is very encouraging.

He also said the country should not rush in to do things and a very coordinated effort would yield more positive results for the destination. The Pacific Asia Travel Association is a global organisation with Headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand.

The headquarters is home base for PATA's Asia Division and PATA's strategic units of Membership, Intelligence, Communication, Advocacy and Crisis Management, Networking, Experience and Outreach. Chairman Sri Lankan Tourism Authority, Renton De Alwis said the fact that 127 delegates participated in the event is a clear example in the confidence in the country.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Faiser Musthapha also endorsed this and said many delegates had second thoughts of visiting the country due to negative publicity that was created.

"It is true that the Government is successfully fighting a war. However it's confined only to a section of the Northern Province and does not have any impact on tourism. No tourist has also being specifically targeted unlike in countries like Indonesia (Bali) and Egypt.

Deputy Minister Musthapha also said delegates have realised that incidents in the North had been blown out of proportion and some of them are extending their stay while others want to visit Sri Lanka again with their families and friends.

"This shows the confidence they have in Sri Lanka as a destination," he added.