A bonanza for tourists

Shirley Wijesinghe

The Tourism Ministry will introduce an attractive tour package for tourists including transport to visit attractive locations of the country, Tourism Ministry Secretary George Michael said.

The Ministry has also planned to develop tourist attractions with all facilities for foreign and local tourists to spend their leisure time, he added. It has also been targeted to channel the economic benefits of the industry to the people in the areas. “A rapid development in tourist arrivals has been reported after the defeat of LTTE terrorism. Therefore, all necessary measures have been taken by the Ministry to promote tourist attractions of the country in a special manner,” Michael said.

Reviewing the present room facilities in the Eastern part of the country, he said that discussions are in progress with hoteliers to develop some areas in Pasikuda, Arugambay and Nilaweli coastal belts as tourist resorts. Applications have already been called from investors to construct about 5,000- 6,000 hotel rooms in Kuchchavelli area. Moves are also afoot to construct guest houses with all necessary facilities to relax during long journeys of tourists who travel on A 9 road, he said.