Novel facility to create interest among tourists

Asela Kuruluwansa

Tourism Deputy Minister Faizer Musthaffa said, the details of ancient historical places will be made available at the rooms of tourist hotels in the country and added that this facility will create an interest among them over these valuable historic places.

The Minister made this revelation at a function held in connection with World Tourism Day at Queen's Hotel, Kandy yesterday. Tourists visit this country to enjoy the scenic beauty which is abundant here.

Foreigners show greater interest in meditation and Buddhism. We must make proper use of this to promote tourism in the country, he said.

At present, each room in tourists hotels has a book containing Dhammapada in addition to a copy of Bible, the Minister said. After the defeat of terrorism, there is a 32 percent growth in tourism today.

Also there is a 104 percent increase of tourist arrivals from the Middle East during the past three months.

We also hope to set up tourist villages so that these foreigners will be able to purchase artistic creations at reasonable prices without falling prey to racketeers and middlemen in the sector, the Minister said.