President, tourism industry discuss sweeping reforms

Thursday, 29 October 2026 05:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Mandatory SLTDA registration for all hotels, accommodation providers mooted
Laws considered on foreign-run businesses operating outside legal procedures
Aims for $ 10 b in tourism revenue, 5 m arrivals by 2030
Ways to raise international airlines to 50 discussed, after 10 new entrants this year
Domestic air links to Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Sigiriya, Jaffna in focus

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and tourism industry representatives yesterday discussed a raft of regulatory reforms and expansion plans aimed at earning $ 10 billion in tourism revenue and attracting five million tourists by 2030, the President’s Office said.

Among the proposed reforms, all tourist hotels and accommodation providers would be brought under the relevant legal framework by requiring them to register with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), with the aim of formalising the industry.

Special attention was also given to introducing laws and regulations to govern businesses run by foreign nationals in Sri Lanka in violation of prescribed legal procedures.

Participants discussed using national parks to support tourism growth, alongside new laws and regulations to protect forest resources.

On expansion, the meeting at the Presidential Secretariat noted that 10 new international airlines had begun flights to Sri Lanka this year, and discussed measures required to increase the number to 50.

Particular attention was given to improving domestic air travel, especially to Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Sigiriya and Jaffna. Progress on global campaigns currently underway to promote Sri Lanka’s tourism industry was also reviewed.

Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Sri Lanka Hotels Association President Ashoka Hettigoda and Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators Association President Bobby Jordan Hansen were among those present. Members of the task force set up to promote tourism also attended.