UN extends full support to revive COVID-hit tourism industry

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga (left) and UN Resident Co-ordinator in Sri Lanka Hana Singer in discussion

The United Nations (UN) has extended its fullest support to develop Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, to tide over difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During a special discussion, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Hana Singer spoke on the challenging situation for tourism in Sri Lanka in aftermath of COVID-19, and how UN Sri Lanka can support partnerships, environmental sustainability, decent work and electronic visas, and airport arrival, to prepare the sector for the future.

The UN Resident Coordinator also said that they have already submitted relevant proposals to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) in this regard. 

In addition, Singer has extended support to implement a social attraction program for those involved in the tourism industry.

Minister Ranatunga said that SLTDA has turned its attention to the proposals put forward by the UN to revive the tourism industry post-pandemic.

He also pointed out that the Government is planning to attract tourists to Sri Lanka in groups, keeping in line with health guidelines post-COVID, adding that the Government is doing its utmost to contain the spread of the virus.

The International Organisation for Migration (IMO) Head of Sri Lanka and Maldives Sarath Dash, Tourism Ministry Secretary S. Hettiarachchi, and Aviation State Ministry Secretary Madhava Devasurendra, also participated in the discussion held at the tourism ministry this week.