Multi-stakeholder initiative to boost tourism in Mannar

By Divya Thotawatte

With the intention of boosting the hospitality sector of the district, the ‘Mannar Improving Competitiveness in Tourism’ (MIC) program was launched recently as a joint initiative by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and the World University Services of Canada(WUSC).

The MIC tourism initiative was developed after an exposure visit to examine successes with the Philippines Improving Competitiveness in Tourism Project (PIC) in Bohol, Manila. The MIC plan has been modelled after these successes and adapted for the local context. 

At the heart of the plan is a strategy to greatly improve tourism-related services by focusing on strengthening human resources and promoting ecotourism initiatives in the region. Showcasing Mannar’s unique offerings will mean supporting local crafts such as palmyrah-based products and developing new recreational activities like boating and kitesurfing.

Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga stated:“There is so much to be seen and done in Mannar. Over the years we have unfortunately not been able to attract tourists to come here. And the main reason was the lack of air connectivity. For that, the Government is now going to open up the Hingurakgoda Airport. So one of the projects is coming into operationwhich is the domestic airlines. Then I think Mannar will have its share of tourism.”

He said that tourism in Sri Lanka was independent and that the Government expected tourism income to be placed second by next year and he believed that rising destinations like Mannar were going to contribute tremendously. 

He added that what was required was to get foreign tourists to visit and see the amount of activities that have taken place in the past. 

Revealing the Government’s plans for Mannar, the Minister said:“Before long our officials will be visiting the region to find out the ways and means in which we can restore order to give wide publicity to the opportunities that are available for tourists in Mannar. Thereafter we will formally launch our programs. One area that we have to work on is the roads that need to be repaired and we have to provide an adequate power supply and water supply as well as encourage more investors in the hotel industry to come to the Mannar region to open up hotels, restaurants and recreation centres.”

In building the capacity of the hospitality and tourism sector, WUSC and its partners hope to attract continued investment and business development in the region. This in turn will help to increase opportunities for employment.

WUSC Country Director Esther McIntosh, speaking at the event, said that the project was a key milestone for the whole Northern Province. 

“One of the key things that we have done is we have strengthened our focus on the private sector. So essentially what we’re doing is putting great emphasis on collaboration with the private sector.What we found when we cited the project was that there was not a very strongly organised private sector throughout the country so we have beenproviding support in registration, in strategic planning and exposure visits and all of this is what is culminating now,” she elaborated. 

Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President Sanath Ukwatte stated that it wasthe duty of everyone within the tourism industry to support great initiatives like MIC to popularise tourism in the country. He added that although tourism did not have a firm footing in the Northern Province due to conflict and other reasons, he believed that now was a suitable time to develop these areas to make Sri Lanka an all-year-round destination. 

“This project’s objectives and purpose are clearly vital in terms of national priorities today,” he stated. 

He said that one of the most urgent requirements of the public policy was to ensure a stable and fulfilling future for the country’s youth. 

“Tourism is one industry in which we are actively promoting the youth of our country; to join our industry, to make a career in our industry and to make a great future. Today a prominent feature in the world and also in Sri Lanka is the dominance of youth.90% of young people are living in developing countries like ours. So many jobs are needed to accommodate the youth joining the job market. This challenge applies to our country too. The tourism industry has a goal to create 100,000 new jobs by 2020. So the Government alone cannot achieve this goal. I believe that we all should participate together to achieve this. Therefore the hotel industry in particular appreciates the emphasis on the preferred destination marketing tools,” he added.