Tourism promotion drive

Disna Mudalige

A program to identify and promote tourism in new directions all over the world where more tourists can be attracted has been launched, said Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

He said that European countries will be targeted during December to April season while Asian countries such as India, Malaysia, China and Thailand will be aimed during May to November. The Minister said that all services needed to provide a quality service will be improved to make tourists satisfied about the country when they leave.

The Deputy Minister said that local tourism is also encouraged in the country and a program to uplift the accommodation facilities has been launched while giving publicity to local tourist destinations.

He said that a campaign to create a positive idea about the country among Sri Lankans living in abroad is also being conducted through foreign embassies and foreign media.

“We have been capable of publishing articles which paint a positive picture about the tourism industry in the country through the latest issue of Newsweek magazine for the first time.

Even though there had been several articles in New York Times that build the image of the country, the attitude generated from Newsweek magazine was not that fair until very recent.

”We have been able to change this attitude and it can be considered as an achievement of the country,” he said.