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| Sunday, 8 December 2002 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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One voice for tourism industry Sri Lanka will have, for the first time, a destination marketing and promotional budget exceeding four million US dollars and a fund of almost one million US dollars to develop professionalism in the industry, President of the newly established Sri Lanka Association of Travel and Tourism (SLATT) Udaya Nanayakkara said recently. Addressing the inauguration of the association, he said these monies are expected through the CESS Fund which will be effective from next April. He said that to enable the island to become an year round destination, creating awareness in new markets such as South Asia, the ASEAN region, China, Japan and Australasia while sustaining the traditional markets is a must. The Middle East also has potential. The new travel association comprises destination management companies (inbound tour operators) and outbound travel agencies. These companies were previously members of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators and Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka. It links the two main travel sectors, inbound and outbound and the membership is categorised as Inbound, Outbound and Associate. Membership under the latter category is open to overseas tour operators, hotels, restaurants, airlines, tourist shops, media and transport operators. SLATT was formed to forge unity and have one voice in the industry in view of the impending new tourism law. The association is expected to play a key role in the Tourism Development Council, Tourism Marketing Bureau and National Institute of Tourism and Trade that will come into effect with the new law. According to Nanayakkara, SLATT will address the outbound tourism sector, which has seen rapid growth over the years, as a matter of priority to enable its members to enhance their services towards Sri Lankans travelling out of the country. |
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