Tourism key economic driver

Hemanthi Guruge

Sri Lanka's tourism industry has recorded very strong growth after 30 years and has become a key economic driver, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Nalaka Godahewa said.

He said tourism directly contributes a significant percentage to the Gross Domestic Product. The industry currently provides thousands of direct and indirect employments.

The Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority has organized Sancharaka Udawa 2012 to be held on January 31 at the Ceylon Continental Hotel to link all players in the industry.

It will indeed be the primus inter pares of the travel and tourism industry providing the Sri Lankan service provider an opportunity to showcase his offering within the industry to the world.

More than 100 corporates participated last time and organisers expect more than 200 companies for the 2012 show. The participants for the event will be promoters of villas, boutiques, hotels, small scale guest houses, bungalows and heritage properties as well as home-stays in strategic locations with potential for tourism together, restaurant at mid way points in cities and small towns, bars, cafes and coffee houses.

The ever rising demand for adventure sports would see Sancharaka Udawa hosting sports and soft adventure providers who offer water sports, boat trips, cycle trails, white water rafting, mountain climbing, camping sites and dormitory type accommodation in wildlife parks and all other areas within the adventure sports.

The rising demand for the quality transport providers will provide vehicle owners, wildlife jeep transport agents or owners, rail transport providers an opportunity to promote their services to the industry.