By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lanka is aiming to generate US$10 billion in tourism revenue and attract five million international visitors annually by 2030, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake holding discussions with tourism industry representatives on measures to accelerate the sector’s growth.
The meeting, held at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (28), focused on expanding air connectivity, strengthening international promotional campaigns, improving tourism infrastructure and bringing accommodation providers and businesses operating in the sector under a more formal regulatory framework.
According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), extensive discussions were held on the measures needed to achieve the country’s tourism targets, including improving domestic air travel facilities to make key destinations more accessible to international visitors.
Particular attention was given to air connectivity to Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Sigiriya and Jaffna, which could benefit from improved domestic flight services and more convenient links with the country’s main international gateways.
The meeting also examined opportunities to expand international air connectivity. Ten new international airlines commenced operations to Sri Lanka this year, and discussions focused on measures to increase that number to 50, the PMD has said.
Expanding air links is expected to be an important consideration in efforts to increase tourist arrivals, improve access to regional destinations and support the development of tourism beyond established hotspots.
Balancing tourism growth and environmental protection
The discussions also addressed the use of national parks and other natural attractions to support tourism development, alongside the introduction of laws and regulations to protect forest resources.
Sri Lanka’s natural landscapes and wildlife are important components of its tourism offering. However, expanding visitor access to environmentally sensitive areas also requires safeguards to protect ecosystems and ensure that tourism activities are conducted responsibly.
The meeting reviewed progress on global promotional campaigns currently being implemented to strengthen Sri Lanka’s position in international tourism markets.
Effective international marketing, improved connectivity and a broader range of visitor experiences are among the areas being considered as the country seeks to attract a larger number of tourists over the next four years.
Move to formalise tourism businesses
A key area of discussion was the need to bring tourist hotels and other accommodation providers under the relevant legal framework by requiring them to register with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
The proposed approach is intended to formalise the tourism industry by ensuring that accommodation providers operate within the applicable regulatory system.
The meeting also considered the introduction of laws and regulations governing businesses operated by foreign nationals in Sri Lanka who are allegedly operating in violation of prescribed legal procedures.
According to the PMD, special attention was given to establishing the necessary regulatory framework for such businesses.
Formalising accommodation and other tourism-related operations could help strengthen oversight of the sector. The effectiveness of such measures, however, will depend on their implementation and enforcement.
Sri Lanka’s target of generating US$10 billion in tourism revenue while attracting five million visitors by 2030 will require sustained growth in arrivals, improved visitor services, greater international connectivity and investment in tourism infrastructure.
The discussions at the Presidential Secretariat reflect the Government’s focus on expanding the industry while strengthening its regulatory framework and protecting the natural resources on which much of Sri Lanka’s tourism appeal depends.
Leave a comment