JBIC pledges $ 950 million for tourism projects
Excel: The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)
would provide US $ 950 million for several tourism related projects said
Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, George Michael.
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Tourism Ambassador and former Cricket captain and MP, Arjuna
Ranatunge was at the WTM. Here some English fans get their
teeshirts autographed by him. Pic by Shirajiv Sirimane |
These include cleaning of Lake Gregory in Nuwara Eliya, Dutch Canal
in Negombo and township development for places of tourist interest.
“We are hoping to work closely with the private sector companies in
these areas and other government bodies,” he said.
He told the Sunday Observer at the World Tourism Market (WTM) event
concluded last Thursday that a further Rs. 200 million would be given by
the Treasury to develop tourism.
“We hope to have rural village modification programs where tourism is
in place. In addition the Ministry also hopes to upgrade facilities of
places of cultural and tourism interest,” he said.
Managing Director, Sri Lanka Tourism, Dilip Mudadeniya, who visited
Iran with the Minister of Tourism, Milinda Moragoda prior to WTM, said
that their endeavour in Iran was very successful. “We have developed
this untapped market further and around 12 charter flights will be
operated to Sri Lanka in the next few months,” he said.
Iranian tourists did not know much about Sri Lanka and they are keen
on Sri Lanka’s mountains, tea plantations, beaches, and wild life and
would patronise the four and five star hotels.
“The Visa on arrival too is a plus point for them,” he said. The
delegation visited Iran subsequent to an invitation extended to Minister
Moragoda. |
