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) |