THASL, SLAITO meet Tourism Minister

The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) yesterday met Tourism Minister John Amaratunga to discuss industry matters including the removal of Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Udaya Nanayakkara.

During the meeting, the industry leaders had expressed concern about the third change in the chairmanship of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in three years and the resultant instability and inconsistency. The depressed performance of the industry and the need for urgent destination marketing were discussed as well.

The Minister had assured the industry leaders there was no reason for concern and he and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were committed to expedite destination marketing in addition to steering the industry via the 2020 Strategic Development Plan.