Protecting indigenous culture vital in developing tourism, says Basil

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has stressed the need for the tourism industry’s economic benefits to trickle down to the masses instead of being confined to five-star hotels and called for a positive approach to the industry.

The Minister said this at a ceremony held at the Economic Development Ministry auditorium in connection with the launch of a book by two well-known Sinhala journalists – Shyam Nuwan Ganewatte of the Divaina Editorial and Pathum Wickremaratne of the Lakbima Editorial. The publication is titled ‘Tourism Industry’s Expectations and Challenges Facing It.’

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 has happened in some countries, which later realised their folly and are now treading the correct path.

Commending the two Co-Editors for this very valuable book which covers the tourism industry’s various aspects including its future goals, the challenges facing it, sustainable development of the industry, its social impact and the role of the media, Minister Rajapaksa said that this publication is useful not only for those interested in tourism but also policymakers.

He described the book as a reflection of the campaign to reach the President’s target of making Sri Lanka a land without poverty by 2015. He said that countries which – like Sri Lanka – experienced ethnic conflicts had made tourism industry a means to achieve development goals. To reach this objective, it is essential to change people’s attitudes towards the tourism industry.

Citing 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 programs, 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 could 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, the latter had emphasised 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.

According to the Minister, some are waiting to misinterpret anything which is being done for the good of the country. There were groups trying to obstruct moves made in 2012 to give employees of the private sector, State corporations, boards and banks as well as self-employed persons pensions, which were hitherto paid only to Government department employees. Getting approval for the Divi Neguma Bill intended to pay a pension to 27,000 employees of the Samurdhi Authority was also delayed.

An envoy said there were three categories of tourists visiting a country. They were the young, the ordinary, and the rich. Sri Lanka was no exception concerning such visitors. Small sales outlets can be utilised to attract tourists. Continuous dialogue is necessary improve people’s knowledge on the right approach to the industry, its development and the environment. At the book launch, Shyam Nuwan Ganewatte made the welcome speech while Pathum Wickramaratne delivered the vote of thanks. Industry and Commerce Ministry Secretary Anura Siriwardena, Information Department Director General Prof. Ariyaratne Athugala, Tourism Development Authority Chairman Bhashwara Gunaratne, Economic Development Ministry’s Director General Prof. Sunanda Madduma Bandara, Head of the Ministry’s Media Unit Dharman Wickramaratne, Prof. Suranga Silva of Colombo University’s Department of Economics, and several journalists too participated in the event.