Cabinet approval unlikely for appointment of PR agencies for Sri Lanka Tourism

With the last Cabinet meeting of the current Government scheduled for tomorrow , sources close to Sri Lanka Tourism said that it is highly unlikely that the proposal to allocate Rs. 550 million to appoint public relations (PR) agencies would receive approval.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) was to appoint PR agencies for 13 key tourism source markets for the next two years, namely, the UK, Germany, France, China, India, Japan, Russia, Australia, Benelux, Poland, Ukraine, and several Middle Eastern countries.

SLTPB Chairman Kishu Gomes however at an event yesterday said that it will be put forward to Cabinet next week for approval.

 “Next Tuesday is the last Cabinet meeting under this Government, as we are heading for a Presidential Election. It is unlikely that the PR agency proposal will get a Cabinet nod, as it is also a two-year marketing strategy for Sri Lanka Tourism. At this point, no Government will consider this proposal urgent,” he told the Daily FT.

SLTPB planned to call for Expression of Interests (EOIs) to select PR agencies after securing Cabinet approval.

Upon approval to appoint PR agencies, they were tasked to carry out daily coordination in these 13 key markets, to ensure that all the activities Sri Lanka conducts in these countries are being well managed, and will be looked at in an integrated communication strategy. (CdeS)