The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and its partners have welcomed the move to formulate a new national tourism policy. 

Sri Lanka Tourism in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has launched the process to seek stakeholder inputs towards drafting a new policy.  

“We are happy that the Ministry of Tourism has taken the initiative to work with the UNDP in order to bring in a National Tourism Policy which is a need for Sri Lanka to be ahead of other competing countries in the global marketplace,” said a statement issued by SLAITO, the apex bodies in tourism together with One Industry One Voice partners.

“Tourism will be never be the same as before in the post-COVID era and it will need new ideas and formulas going forward. All our partners have expressed their ideas and views to the consultant appointed by the UNDP and are hopeful it will bring positive results to the allying industry. It will also be helpful to see a good national policy document in place prior to finalising the New Tourism Act,” the statement added.

SLAITO and partners also commended Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga’s positive message. “Despite much speculation on the new tourism act, we are happy on the assurance given by the Minister that the private sector tourism stakeholders will be consulted before any changes are made to the current Tourism Act,” the statement said. 

“As a result, the apex bodies and the key associations are in discussions to bring in proposals with in the three-month time frame given. The Minister further stressed that tourism is a private sector driven industry and look forward to working in close cooperation to take the industry forward together with the participation of all the stakeholders,” the statement added. 

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