Tourism will help eliminate poverty: Basil

The Government’s aim is to develop the tourism industry having the welfare of all Sri Lankans in mind since tourism is one of the means most developing nations use for eradicating poverty in their countries.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said this after he opened the Mount Resort Hotel in Kithulkanda, Meepe recently.

This environmentally-friendly hotel built on a wooded hill top comprises a row of rooms that give occupants 19 different views of the surrounding area.  Since the hotel is located above the satellite station, Padukka, visitors have been provided with the facility of observing the stars from there.

Addressing those who attended the ceremony held in connection with the opening, the Minister noted that the majority of tourists who arrived in the country last year showed an interest in staying in small hotels rather than the traditional big ones.

As a result a major part of the income from the industry had reached small businessmen in the tourism field, also leading to the emergence in rural areas of small-scale entrepreneurs who produce food items, clothing and souvenirs and other items which attract foreign visitors.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa further said that the World Tourism Organisation had predicted tourism would rise up to thrice the present level within the next decade.  In future there would be more tourists from countries such as India, China and Japan, according to the WTO. This would greatly contribute to Sri Lanka’s tourism development since this island is in the Asian region.  

Senior Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena and Joint Directors of Mount Resort Hotel Neil Kariyawasam and Nishantha Bentara Arachchi were among those who attended the event.