Tourism development: Protecting indigenous culture vital
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has stressed the need
for tourism industry’s economic benefits to trickle down to the masses
instead of confining it to five star hotels. He called for a positive
approach to the industry. The Minister said this at a ceremony held in
the Economic Development Ministry auditorium in connection with the
launch of a book by two journalists, Shyam Nuwan Ganewatte of the
Divaina Editorial and Pathum Wickremaratne of the Lakbimba Editorial.
The publication is titled: ‘Tourism Industry’s Expectations and
Challenges facing it.’
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A book titled ‘Sri Lanka Heritages’ covering all aspects of
heritage from monuments, nature and culture being presented to
Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development at the
Ministry by its author Neil Kiriella. Picture by Chaminda
Hittatiya |
The minister noted the most important issue relating to the industry
is to safeguard the indigenous culture instead of sacrificing it for the
sake of accelerated development as happened in some countries, which
later realized their folly and are now treading the correct path.
To reach this objective it is essential to change people’s attitudes
towards the tourism industry. Giving an example Minister Rajapaksa said
that when he met the former Tourism Minister of Nelson Mandela’s
Government in South Africa, the former minister had stressed the need
for developing a positive outlook on tourism. Through media promotional
programmes South Africans were promised permanent employment
opportunities with one job per eight tourists arriving in the country.
Minister Rajapaksa further said that Sri Lankans should take pride in
the fact that their country was able to defeat terrorism after 30 years.
In a country plagued with anger and hatred during such a period it is no
easy task to make the people warm and hospitable which are essential
factors in tourism.
“We are now overcoming all these obstacles through the Mahinda
Chinthana Vision,” he said. He expressed confidence that the country can
exceed its targets if the areas marked for tourism promotion could be
developed as required. The tourism industry can be a powerful means of
eradicating poverty which is the President’s goal.
During a meeting with the ambassador of a Western country he
emphasized the importance of the tourism industry’s sustainable
development instead of trying to make money through quick fixes. “What
is necessary is to look at the industry positively,” he said. |
