Sri Lanka Tourism
The National Strategy for Sri Lanka Tourism ventures to place the profile of the country as an Asian tourism icon.
Through 8 objectives addressing the immediate and long term needs, they also cover the operational aspects as well as the four divisions that formulate Sri Lanka Tourism. Apart from the short term plans that will address the immediate issues of the tourism sector, Marketing and Communications, Services and Hospitality, Training and Development, MICE, Domestic Tourism, and a 10 Year Plan have been defined within this context.
An 11 part Strategic Framework which addresses the areas of action has been defined and this Strategic Plan provides a blueprint for how traditional and the not so conventional aspects of tourism will be incorporated to grow into sectors such as nature, culture, and adventure tourism.
A Tourism Strategic Action Group (TSAG) has been formed recently, based on the advice of the Minister of Tourism, Mr Milinda Moragoda, to address the challenges ahead of the local tourism sector. It brings together key stakeholders in the tourism industry, enabling them to take quick decisions.
Commenting on the situation, the Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Mr George Michael said that the global economic crisis is illustrated in the drastic drop of prices in key luxury hotels and the significant reduction of country arrivals in key locations throughout the world. He further added that according to industry experts, the impact of this situation is estimated to last for a long time.
Headed by Mr Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), and Co-Chaired by Mr Ken Balendra - Chairman, Tourism Advisory Committee, the Tourism Strategic Action Group comprises of 13 members including Mr B M U D Basnayake - Addl. Secretary (Development)
Mr. Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, said, “the TSAG hopes to centralize the decision-making process, and ease its implementation as opposed to the present structure which is not too flexible. It will explore the opportunities and challenges and define the way forward for Sri Lanka Tourism.
The Tourism Strategic Action Group has discussed key areas of focus, such as promotional campaigns in strategic locations in major receiving countries, examining the possibility of drawing on the resources earmarked from the aid package to be put in place, the availability of airline seats and inbound flights, the issue of travel advisories, the situation about declining service standards, domestic tourism, local transportation, and special train services, and also the dire need for a safety net to rescue the tourism industry.
These new developments in the National Strategy for Sri Lanka Tourism will enable not only the tourism sector, but also the country to move forward ‘making it the largest foreign exchange earner benefiting the stakeholders of tourism and the people of Sri Lanka’.
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For further information please contact:
Gaya Nagahawatta
Media Coordinator
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, 80, Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka
Tel: +94 (0) 112437055/ 59/ 60 Ext 265, (Direct): +94 (0) 11 2426958
Mobile: +94 (0) 717 638775 Fax: +94 (0) 112440001
Web: www.srilanka.travel Email:
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