Amcham, SLASSCOM to boost tourism industry

By Lalin Fernandopulle

The American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) with the Sri Lanka Association of Software Services Companies (SLASSCOM) launched a program to enable the Sri Lankan tourism industry to accelerate growth through the use of digital solutions.

The program will help the industry to apply innovative digital solutions to attract and retain tourists.

A SLASSCOM official said that Sri Lanka needs such solutions to boost its image as a top tourist destination and attract more visitors.

“We must be on par with Singapore and Malaysia which use modern digital solutions to woo visitors to the country and boost revenue. Sri Lanka has been lagging behind in the use of modern technology to position the country as a preferred destination to woo visitors.

We have the expertise and skills to develop the leisure industry,” he said. The stakeholders of the IT industry such as SLASSCOM, tourism industry personnel and Chambers must collaborate to develop the tourism industry which has revived after a setback due to global recession,” said Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, President, J. Kehelpannalla.

He said there is a significant increase in tourist arrivals due to the use of IT solutions which focuses on attracting high-end spenders. The initiative launched by Amcham and SLASSCOM will help increase the number of visitors.

Amcham, Vice President, Prasath Nanayakkara said that the leisure industry needs to market Sri Lanka as a destination, market individual hotels, enhance and manage top liners and optimise cost management.

He said to achieve these goals the IT industry should come up with solutions. Around 20 companies have been shortlisted based on the criteria of effectiveness of the solution, ease of deployment and capability.

Nanayakkara said that an exhibition and conference will be held on September 12 to select winners from 12 categories focusing on marketing Sri Lanka as a tourism destination.

An official of the Sri Lanka Association of Tour Operators (SLAITO) said that the program will revolutionise the tourism industry by leveraging best in class digital solutions to enhance the quality of experience of all visitors to the country. Kehelpannalla said that although the prices of hotel rooms were high, there are visitors who are ready to spend, if the facilities available are satisfactory.