Tourism Strategic Action Group formed

On the advice of the Minister of Tourism, Milinda Moragoda, a committee has been appointed to look into the challenges ahead of Sri Lanka Tourism, caused by the world economic crisis and other regional developments impacting tourist arrival to Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the situation, the Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, George Michael said that the global economic crisis is illustrated in the drastic drop of prices in key luxury hotels and the significant reduction of country arrivals in key locations throughout the world. He further added that according to industry experts, the impact of this situation is estimated to last until 2012.

Tourism Strategic Planning Country Sessions, which were concluded recently, discussed the necessity to formulate a body consisting of key stakeholders enabling the tourism industry to take quick decisions.

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Bernard Goonetilleke, said it is under this backdrop that the Tourism Strategic Action Group (TSAG) has been formed.

Headed by Bernard Goonethillake, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Co-Chaired by Ken Balendra - Chairman, Tourism Advisory Committee, the Tourism Strategic Action Group will comprise of 13 members including B.M.U.D. Basnayake - Addl. Secretary (Development) - Ministry of Tourism, Prema Cooray - Chairman, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Renton de Alwis - Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Cornel Perera - Chairman, Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, Abbas Esufally - Board Member, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Ajith Gunewardena - Deputy Chairman, John Keels Holdings PLC, Siri de Silva - Board Member, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Srilal Mittapala “Board Member Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, Hiran Cooray - Chairman, Jetwing Hotels Ltd., Ranjan Brito - Deputy Chairman, Aitken Spence and Chandra Wickramasinghe - Chairman, Connaissance Holdings Ltd.

The Tourism Strategic Action Group has discussed key areas of focus, such as promotional campaigns in strategic locations in major receiving countries, examining the possibility of drawing on the resources earmarked from the aid package to be put in place, the availability of airline seats and inbound flights, the issue of travel advisories, the situation about declining service standards, domestic tourism, local transportation, and special train services and also the dire need for a safety net to rescue the tourism industry.

The TSAG committee is scheduled to meet early next week and finalise its recommendations to maximise the opportunities that are present.