Korea supported Tourist Service Centre and Welcome Centre in Habarana opens

Wednesday, 18 December 2024 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s tourism development was marked on 12 December 2024 with the opening and transfer ceremony of the Tourist Service Centre and Welcome Centre in Habarana, North Central Province. The project, launched in collaboration between Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea in 2021, represents a step forward in promoting sustainable tourism and empowering local communities.

The ceremony was attended by North Central Province Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Ministry Additional Secretary S.L. Nazeer and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam. Korean Embassy in Sri Lanka Deputy Head of Mission Jung Sohngyee, and Park Jung Woong from the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) participated from Korean side.

This project’s origins trace back to 2019, when an officer from the SLTDA received an award at a tourism content development contest by KTO in Korea. Over the years, it became a longstanding aspiration to bring this dream to fruition, making today’s achievement all the more significant.

Despite challenges posed by the global pandemic and the country’s economic difficulties, the project has successfully delivered on (i) Community-Based Tourism development, (ii) Capacity building, and (iii) Infrastructure Development such as the Tourist Service Centre, and an online information site to enhance accessibility.

Government officials from the Tourism Ministry, SLTDA, and the North Central Province Council, as well as local communities involved in the project, expressed sincere gratitude for the initiative and provided unwavering support throughout its implementation.

In her congratulatory remarks, Jung Sohngyee highlighted the longstanding friendship between Korea and Sri Lanka and underscored Korea’s role as a top five bilateral ODA partner. She also urged the Sri Lankan Government to expedite the implementation of the visa fee exemption policy for travellers from 37 countries. This measure, currently under review, is expected to significantly boost international arrivals, including those from Korea.

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