Special tourism projects

Irangika Range

Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeygawardena said the Government has already launched special tourism development projects in the Southern and the Eastern coast which outlines speedy growth in order to secure uninterrupted services to the targeted developments taking place in Sri Lanka tourism. “We are implementing two mega resort development projects in Kalpitiya and Passikudah, so far the biggest ever to add to tourism capital,” he said.

The Deputy Minister was addressing the special press-briefing held with the participation of the German print and electronic media to brief about Sri Lanka and the latest developments taking place in the tourism sector of the country at the International Tourisms Börse (ITB) Travel Fair in Berlin,Germany March 14.

In Colombo, we are putting up a seven star hotel chain with the investment of Hong Kong-based Shangri-La group. Alternatively, sub-projects will take place all over the country to uplift the service standards of tourism sector with the special concern towards socio-cultural and environmental protection at the centre stage of all developments taking place,” he said.

While introducing Visit Sri Lanka 2011 campaign, we have identified different sectors across tourism industry which need to be developed. These potentials will be improved enabling to attract more tourists to the country. The Deputy Minister said the German market is considered as a key potential market for Sri Lanka Tourism and it records highest arrivals from the Europe sector next to UK and India being the third largest tourist generating market to Sri Lanka according to 2010 statistics.

Sri Lanka has received 45,727 tourists from Germany during 2010, a 54.2 percent growth compared to year 2009 which has recorded 29, 654 arrivals at the end of January 2011. Total arrivals from Germany recorded a 24 percent growth compared to the same time period during 2010.

The Germany has been positioned as a primary and most potential inbound market for Sri Lanka where it is projected that nearly 55,000 tourist arrivals will be recorded at end of 2011, from Germany. It is the fastest growing inbound market for Sri Lanka Tourism.

Sri Lanka Tourism has planned to conduct extensive promotional campaigns throughout the year to secure frequent influx of tourists from Germany.