President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with representatives of tourism industry associations at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (October 28) to discuss strategies for achieving national targets of generating US$ 10 billion in tourism revenue and attracting five million tourists to Sri Lanka by 2030. The session involved extensive discussions on key steps required to further promote and expand the country’s tourism sector.
Particular attention was given to enhancing domestic air travel facilities, specifically targeting key destinations including Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Sigiriya, and Jaffna. Reviewing international air connectivity, the meeting noted that 10 new international airlines have commenced flights to Sri Lanka this year, with discussions focusing on measures needed to increase the total number of operating airlines to 50. Deliberations also focused on utilizing popular national parks to support industry growth while simultaneously introducing laws and regulations to safeguard forest resources.
In addition, the meeting reviewed the progress of ongoing global promotional campaigns implemented to boost Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. To formalize the overall industry, discussions addressed bringing all tourist hotels and accommodation providers under the relevant legal framework by requiring mandatory registration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Special attention was also directed toward introducing necessary laws and regulations to govern businesses operated by foreign nationals in Sri Lanka in violation of prescribed legal procedures.
The discussion was attended by Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage. Tourism industry representatives in attendance included Sri Lanka Hotels Association President Ashoka Hettigoda, Resorts Association Vice President Eksath Wijeratne, Deputy President (General) Dimitri Coorey, Senior Management Committee member Chamin Wickramasinghe, Chief Executive Officer Priyantha Fernando, and Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators Association President Bobby Jordan Hansen, alongside members of the task force established to promote the tourism sector and representatives of several other tourism industry associations. (Newswire)