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
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