Marked growth in tourist industry
Charumini de Silva
The tourist industry has shown significant growth in the past few
months with the dawn of peace, as it is safe for tourists to travel in
the country without fear of terrorist attacks.
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Tourist arrivals by month
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Month 2008 2009 Cha %
2008/09
Jan. 56,916 38,468 -32.4
Feb. 40,551 34,169 -15.7
Mar. 38,049 34,065 -10.5
Apr. 29,747 26,054 -12.4
May 31,140 24,739 -20.6
Jun. 27,960 30,234 8.1
Jul. 32,982 42,323 28.0
Aug. 30,672 41,207 34.3
Research and International Relations Division,
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority |
With the assistance of the Board of Investment (BOI) and the Ministry
of Nation Building 13 - 14 islands at Kalpitiya in the North-Western
Province will be given to investors on a 30-year lease, to develop the
area as a tourist resort, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTB)
Chairman, Bernard Goonathilake told Daily News Business.
"This project will provide many opportunities to develop tourism and
the hotel industry. Over 4,000 acres will be offered under this project
and it is expected to build over 500 rooms. We have initially selected
five islands on a 30-year lease since it will take some time to develop
all the islands at once.
We will gradually develop those islands and the investors will be
responsible to develop those areas and they would have to undertake the
infrastructure development according to our conceptual plan he said.
The Kalpitiya island tourist resort will attract tourists to this
area for its clean beaches, secluded privacy and the quiet atmosphere
that could be enjoyed by tourists who come from busy industrialized
countries, he said.
The Sixth Sense International Chain recently commenced work on their
six star hotel in Kalpitiya with an investment of US$ 175 million and
the Phase I of the project will be completed by 2011.
A few resorts will be set up in Passikudah, Nilaveli and Pachchakeni
in the Eastern Province, Goonathilake said.
The Sri Lanka Tourism has shown confidence in its performance during
the past few months. There is over 300 - 400 hotel room capacity in the
Northern Province where Jaffna is centralized while 600 - 700 hotel
rooms are available in the Eastern Province.
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