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| Sunday, 24 October 2004 |
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Large-scale tourism promotion in the offing by Chanuka Mannapperuma 'Sri Lanka Tourist Board's (SLTB) Tourism Plans for 2005 and Beyond are a visionary strategy to convince all stake- holders in the industry and the people that 'concrete' plans are now in place to drive tourism development and returns for all concerned,' said Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Promotion Anura Bandaranaike at the press briefing. Minister said Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with the unique features and tourism industry gains major foreign-exchange to country's economy. Because of that we hope to investing around US$ seven million in year 2005 for tourism marketing. Minister said,that several international hotels and resorts brands are willing to access the tourism field.Sheraton Hotel,Carlton USA and Hyatt are planning to set up their hotel chain in Colombo.This will perhaps add another 200-300 rooms to the Colombo city Hotels. Addressing the delegates SLTB Chairman, Udaya Nanayakkara said tourists arrivals 2004 up to September marks 11.1% increase compared to year 2003.Total arrivals of this year were 375,630. Arrivals from Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East, China, Japan, Maldives and India have increased significantly compared to last year. He said that they hope the total arrivals this year will reach a recording figure of 550,000. Chairman also said that currently room occupancy stood at 74%."By 2010 we hope one million visitors with an average daily spend per tourist reaching US$ 155 and foreign exchange earnings of US$ 1,727 million-four times the current level. .The hotel room situation at the moment stands at 14,047.By the end of this year there will be 711 new rooms and by the end of the year 2005 additional 526 new rooms will add to the existing fleet. He said that the Ministry is planning to develop three major resorts in Dedduwa,Puttalum and Arugambay. "To target 1M tourists by year 2010 at least 25,000 rooms will be required.To have this number of hotel rooms sites for new hotels and the necessary infrastructure must be developed" Chairman added. "We hope to develop eco tourism in a sustainable manner since Sri Lanka has a huge potential for this product.Another plan we have is to construct pilgrim rests near the archaeological resorts for the benefit of the ordinary pilgrim travellers," Chairman said. Chairman said that they are also planning to rehabilitate the Wilpattu National Park, Madhu ganga eco-tourism developments and adding that under the same scheme there will be a change of Hotel schools chain by setting up additional satellite schools. |
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