Govt ensures safety of tourists

Moves to counter false propaganda

by Lionel Yodhasinghe

The conflict situation in the North and the East and other isolated incidents should not be exploited to prevent tourists from coming to Sri Lanka, as foreigners are not terrorist targets at all, said Acting Minister of Tourism Faizer Musthapha.

Misleading reports by local and foreign media have distorted the conflict situation in the North and the East thereby compelling certain countries to issue travel advisories on Sri Lanka. Musthapha told journalists at a press gathering in Colombo, the country had to counter the negative and adverse publicity internationally, and promote the country as a tourist hub in order to lure more tourists to the country to revive the once lucrative industry and major income earner.

The travel packages should be arranged in such a manner to enable more holiday makers to visit the country, and places of worship should also be facilitated to attract pilgrims. And at the same time, the stake holders jointly with the government and other agencies should work ensure the safety of travellers as no tourist has been targeted during the conflict for over two decades, and the law and order in the country is fully operational for the protection of the travellers.

The Minister is armed with a three month new tactical action plan expected to attract over 150,000 tourists next year.

On the directive of the President, moves have also been taken to go for a special promotional campaign in the SAARC region, especially targeting more tourists from India. The Minister said the Western media was trying to create a blurred picture of Sri Lanka a similar to that of Afghanistan, which is all wrong.

But the incidents are more relevant to some areas in the North and the East. Such false publicity has done extensive damage to the industry in particular and the country's image in general.

In the wake of the Government's initiative to begin a low cost airline Mihin Air by next February covering major cities in the SAARC countries, and other cities in the UK, Germany, China and Middle East would amply facilitate the effort by the Tourism Ministry as Mihin Air travel costs would be affordable for many prospective tourists of these countries.

lionel@sundayobserver.lk