Tourism flourishes

Target: 850,000 tourists:

Year 2011 has been a historic year in the context of tourism, because it recorded the largest influx of tourists in a given year. The government's objective is to record a target of 850,000 tourists by the end of this year and 950,000 tourists by the end of next year, said Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

Minister Rajapaksa was addressing a meeting held at his ministry on Thursday, to mark the distribution of funds among Provincial Councils for the implementation of their tourism development proposals.

Wayamba, Uva and Southern Provincial Councils received an allocation of Rs 41 million each and Western Provincial Council received Rs 75 million at this ceremony. Minister Rajapaksa said President Mahinda Rajapaksa's feat of eradicating terrorism and restoration of peace, had been the major factor contributing to such a large influx of tourists to the country.

Other factors were the contributions made by the people, the economic development ministry and the Sri Lankan embassies. Minister Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka has beaten all other countries in recording a high ratio of visiting tourists within a short time after ending the war. Vietnam took seven years to record the first plane load of tourist arrivals after concluding the Vietnam war.

But 28 airlines resumed flights to Sri Lanka within a short period after the ending of the conflict.

We have been able to earn an annual income of one billion US dollars from tourism. Part of this income is given to the Tourist Board for its activities. He had decided to apportion part of that income to Provincial Councils for implementing plans to attract tourists to their regions as it would in turn generate employment avenues and additional income to people at large. Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana, Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya, Wayamba Chief Minister Athula Wijesinghe, Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Uva Provincial Minister of Tourism, Anura Vidanagamage and Tourist Board Chairman Dr Nalaka Godahewa were also present on the occasion.