Tourist arrivals grow 45 percent

Disna MUDALIGE

Sri Lanka has recorded the highest growth rate in tourist arrivals in the world last year which is 45 percent, said Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

Addressing a media conference held at the Information Department yesterday he said that this percentage was 26 percent in the USA and 24 percent in Japan last year. He said that the number of tourists to the country last month was 72,000 which was a significant increase. Sri Lanka has also won the International Gold Medal last week for the poster created for the promotion of tourism which showed off the country's identity.

He said that approval was given to establish 34 hotels by the end of last month. Four among them are Five Star hotels. Construction of 13 hotels in Pasikuda investing US $ 90 million which consist of 878 rooms is also approved. Hundred Home Stay Units are also to be initiated islandwide, he said.

The Minister also noted that six acres in Colombo were given to Shangri la Hotel which is among the top five companies in the tourism industry. "They were given for US $ 75 million. Our aim is to bring in leading investors to the country. Shangri la has connections with 70 countries. This is a great opportunity we got to join a tourism chain," he said.

He also noted that the government plans to sign agreements with another four leading investors in the near future.