Five-fold rise in tourists by 2016

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

The Tourism Ministry has formulated an action plan to increase the present tourist arrivals by five fold in 2016.

"We have already decided on a massive development plan to promote the tourism sector. We have declared 2011 as Tourism Year. Therefore we will promote the tourism industry this year," Tourism Minister Achala Jagoda told the Sunday Observer.

Nearly 500,000 tourist arrivals are recorded per year. "Instead of the present concept of tourism which focuses on the coastal belt, we have planned to promote tourism under a series of new subjects in keeping with the present world trends," he said.

The Minister said tourists from Western countries have shown a keen interest to visit Sri Lanka due to the initiative of the Government to eradicate terrorism. The Government intends to attract more tourists to Sri Lanka by organising international surfing events, sports competitions, cultural pageants and various other new ventures.

A project has been launched to attract more tourists from Asian countries. "Our target is attract tourists from different countries rather than focusing on the traditional tourist markets."

The Ministry is also developing domestic tourism. Local tourists were unable to visit key places in the North and the East owing to terrorism. The Ministry has prepared a TV program titled "Wansa kathawaka para dige" to provide a complete understanding for local travellers on key areas they can visit including those in the North and the East, the Minister said.

The Ministry has named new tourist zones for the benefit of foreign tourists. New tourist packages and access roads have also been introduced for them. This would enable them to visit all important places in the country, he said.

The Minister said in order to promote the tourism in the North and the deep South, the Government has decided to establish two international level conference halls in Jaffna and Hambantota.

New hotels will have to be established in these areas to accommodate conference delegates.

Plans have been drawn up to set up restaurants covering the major road networks in the country, while steps will be taken to upgrade the tourist resorts belonging to the Sri Lanka Tourist Board.