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Sri LankaTourism focuses on creating ‘tourism conducive environment’

According to UNWTO, tourism in Asia Pacific region is expected to grow by 4% to 6% per annum.


Dr. Nalaka Godahewa

The focus of Sri Lanka Tourism is on creating an environment conducive for tourism to attract new tourists, to improve the global perspective about Sri Lanka and most importantly to make the tourists who come here leave the country with a good impression, Sri Lanka Tourism, Chairman Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said.

The policy framework is designed towards achieving these objectives. The measures included development of infrastructure and projects on offer and the establishment of a One Stop Unit (OSU) at the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority to support tourism related investments, he said addressing the members of the Council for Business with Britain (CBB) of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce recently.

The presentation was titled “Towards 2.5 million visitors by 2016 - Where are we now and a policy framework to get there” as the tourism sector is identified as a growth sector which is the world’s largest service industry at present.

Among the highlights of some key tourism objectives of Sri Lanka are positioning Sri Lanka as one of the most sought after tourist destinations, promoting tourism to reach annual tourist arrivals target of 2.5 million by 2016, increasing the annual foreign exchange earnings to US $ 2.75 billion by 2016 and attracting US $ 3 billion or more foreign direct investments (FDI) to the country within the next 5 years.

The plans are underway to increase the room capacity to 45,000 by 2016 and also achieve 500,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities within the next 5 years.

Marketing Sri Lanka as a tourist destination, Dr. Godahewa emphasized the core strengths of Sri Lanka being, authenticity, compactness and diversity that no other country could match.

Considering the growth statistics and trends he identified that growth potential lies in Asia and Middle East compared to Europe, therefore Sri Lanka Tourism will focus more on these regions, especially China in the next 5 years.

Concluding his presentation Dr. Godahewa invited all stakeholders of the tourism industry to join hands towards one dream, “Refreshingly Sri Lanka - Wonder of Asia”

CBB Chairman Nick Nicolaou, delivering the concluding remarks said that the Council organizes a series of similar events throughout the year for the benefit of its members, ranging from luncheon meetings with guests speakers on topical interest to sporting and social activities and informed members to await details of the next CBB event; a field visit to Jaffna to explore the opportunities present in the North.

(SJ)

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