Saturday Nov 30, 2024
Saturday Nov 30, 2024
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Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath
– Pic by Upul Abayasekara
By Charumini de Silva
Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath on Thursday unveiled an ambitious plan to transform the tourism sector into a cornerstone of economic growth, with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity.
Speaking at the 59th Anniversary of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), he outlined the vision, reiterating the Government’s commitment to positioning the country as a top sustainable tourism destination, driving foreign exchange, creating jobs, and promoting equitable growth across the island. Herath underscored the importance of grassroots participation, encouraging local communities to engage in tourism through entrepreneurship and active involvement.
“Innovation and research are key drivers for developing unique tourism offerings, while investments in underutilised destinations and infrastructure improvements are essential for making Sri Lanka a year-round destination,” he pointed out.
The Minister also acknowledged several challenges hindering the sector’s growth. “Lack of unified coordination among stakeholders, limited use of technology in marketing and operations, as well as over-reliance on traditional sightseeing experiences are to name a few,” he stated.
In addition, poor community involvement, low public awareness of tourism’s potential, and inefficiencies in resource management were highlighted by Herath as areas requiring urgent attention. He also pointed to the critical importance of the tourism sector in economic revival.
Acknowledging the achievements of the industry, he also pointed to pressing challenges and the need for greater collaboration to establish Sri Lanka as a globally recognised sustainable tourism destination.
To address these issues, the Minister assured simplifying regulations and improving inter-agency coordination, whilst calling to build strong partnerships between the private and public sectors.
The Minister called on THASL and its members to collaborate closely with the Government to drive sustainable and inclusive growth.
“Tourism is more than just an industry – it is a reflection of Sri Lanka’s culture, history, and natural beauty with immense potential to transform lives and significantly contribute to the economy. By working together with dedication and unity, we can emerge as a globally recognised leader in sustainable tourism,” he expressed confidently.
Herath noted the significant accomplishments of the tourism industry, including a record 2.3 million tourist arrivals in 2018 that generated $ 4.5 billion in revenue. “Today, the sector includes over 4,500 hotels with over 55,000 rooms, providing direct employment to 200,000 individuals and indirectly supporting another 225,000,” he added.
However, the Minister stressed the need to formalise the industry further, pointing out that many businesses remain unregistered and miss out on the benefits of being part of the formal sector.
“Although tourist spending averages $ 169 per day, with visitors staying for an average of eight days, there is considerable scope to enhance the revenue further, improve visitor experience, and increase economic benefits for the country,” the Minister emphasised.
Herath praised THASL for its pivotal role in the country’s hotel sector amid many turbulent times. Representing over 70% of the industry, THASL was credited for its ability to unite internationally renowned hotel brands with locally managed properties, showcasing the essence of hospitality.
The Minister also expressed his appreciation for the leadership of THASL, President M.Shanthikumar, whose four decades of experience have shaped the sector’s resilience and innovation.
