Tourism industry, Minister discuss quick revival strategy at 2-hour meeting

By Charumini de Silva

The travel industry yesterday met with Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga for the first time to discuss the key issues pertaining to the development of the sector and seek suggestions to achieve greater revival following the Easter Sunday attacks and other issues.

Tourism Minister  Prasanna Ranatunga

The two-hour meeting had been productive with the exchange of views of around 10 key travel associations and regional tourism leaders on the industry’s concerns and challenges. During yesterday's meeting, the top requests by the industry included immediate global marketing for Sri Lanka, the extension of the moratorium on interest and capital repayments until 31 March 2021, extension of a fee-free visa until 31 March 2021, the boosting of facilities to promote MICE tourism, more entertainment options in Colombo, measures to enhance room rates, the appointment of a committee to conduct a study on landing charges and airport taxes, regulation of the informal sector, expansion of the Bandaranaike International Airport and a proper master plan for the development of the tourism industry.

In terms of the extension of the financial moratorium and gratis visa scheme, the industry pointed out that these were critical until the industry saw the country receive about 2.5 million tourists.

The tourism industry also commended the Government for recognising tourism as a thrust sector for economic development through employment generation and foreign exchange.

The private sector representatives also hailed the Government’s stimulus package announced as soon as they took office in November 2019, noting that the reduction of top line taxes helped Sri Lanka to be more competitive with other destinations like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and the Maldives.

Minister Ranatunga had offered assurances to provide solutions to concerns on a short-, medium- and long-term basis after studying some of the issues raised by the tourism industry. He asked the industry stakeholders to send in written submissions to the Ministry Secretary. 

Among the institutions present for the meeting were The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, Colombo City Hotels Association, the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators, The Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka, The Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition and Event Organisers  while the regional tourism associations included the Kandy Hoteliers’ Association, Beruwala Hoteliers’ Association, Anuradhapura Hoteliers’ Association, Kalutara Hoteliers’ Association, Negombo Hoteliers’ Association and Hoteliers of South.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Director General Chandani Werapitiya was also present at the meeting.