Central Province - a key tourist destination in 2008

The Central Province will be a key tourist destination this year with tour maps on important locations, hotel accommodation and guides to help tourists to visit historical sites, said Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake.

He said Hunasgiriya and Knuckles have been favourite places for tourists and opportunities for trekking and sight seeing around these areas will be developed. Kandy has been a prime location for tourists and by developing infrastructure facilities in the province there will be more tourists to the area.

"Training tour guides has been a priority and now around 40 guides are undergoing training in languages. We intend to train over 80 tour guides this year under the second batch.Tour guides who are conversant with the language and who know the socio-cultural background of the areas are necessary", the Chief Minister said.

The Central Province was promoted as an ideal tour destination at this year's International Tourism Bourse (ITB) Fair in Berlin.

The Sri Lankan stall at the Fair featured some of the prime sites of the province. Advertisements and road shows were held to promote tourism in the country.

Jetwing Hotels Ltd. Managing Director Hiran Cooray said there were positive sentiments about the country at this year's ITB Fair and many tour operators expressed their willingness to visit the country.

"The security situation will not be an impediment if the country has a strategic plan and focused to position the country as a safe and preferred destination", he said.

The tourism industry is reaping the benefits of the implementation of the Tourism Act which has recognised the role of the private sector in developing tourism.

Additional Director General, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Dileep Mudadeniya said the Berlin Fair was a good opportunity to showcase the country and interact with buyers.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Faizer Musthapa said that an all inclusive approach has been taken to develop tourism with the support of the provinces. Tourism will be a sector for devolution under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

"No other government has made a concerted effort to bring about peace and harmony in the country as the present government.

The government is fully committed to implement the 13th Amendment and it has assured the safety of every tourist", he said.

Musthapa said that war is a common phenomenon in the world today. Despite the conflict Egypt had the highest number of British tourists last year.

If not for the war which has been going on since 1983 there would have been over one million tourists visiting the country every year.

LF