Private sector thumbs up for Tourism Promotions Strategy 2015

The Sri Lanka Promotions Strategy-2015 has been finally approved by the private sector in a landmark public-private partnership which herald a new way of working that included a monthly evaluation.

"What we are implementing is the new thinking," said Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Rohantha Athukorala.

"This was the first task we embarked on after taking office three months ago."

A point to note is that Sri Lanka's plans have always been absolutely gold standard but the challenge is on the delivery, said the Chairman who has worked in the public sector for almost 10 years and headed the NCED, the key policy making body for almost three years in the ministry of finance and planning..

The SLTPB has been dogged by corruption allegations to the value of over Rupees 600 million in the previous regime whilst the top two officials of the previous regime are on bail post arrest whilst many in the current cadre are continuously being summoned by the FCID for evidence gathering. In the midst of all this we are activating over 40 trade fairs globally on "Sales Push" whilst on the "Demand Pull."

"We are working on areas of Visiting journalist programs, trade FAMs, below the line activations and specific marketing initiatives. But what we need in innovative promotion strategies and I am happy that the new board appointed by the Minister is open to these ideas", said Athukorala.

The Board representative for the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) Ms Amal Goonetileka who is also the Regional Director - Sales for Taj Samudra Hotels said, "We now have a broad Strategic Marketing Plan - 2015 for the destination with the approval of the THASL representatives in the board. This will be reviewed from time to time and new beneficial initiatives to the tourism industry will be added where necessary."

SLITO President Mahen Kariyawasam said that the private sector in tourism is pleased to note that the above plan is in the activation process already given the limited resources available at the SLTPB.

"We, in the Industry are also happy to note that we are also consulted in these strategic plans for the development of Sri Lanka Tourism.

"Let's work together to achieve our target of 2.5 Million Tourists in the coming years.

"One of the biggest challenges of the industry is that registered hotel properties are below 400 but private sector hotel booking companies say that there are over 2,600 entities operating this space which means the SME sector is quite large," he said.