Domestic tourism promo gets Cabinet nod
The Sri Lanka tourism industry is planning to induce more locals to patronise hotels since there is a growing number going overseas with about 1.3 million recorded in 2014. The Cabinet granted its approval this week to this programme. According to latest available data from the Indian Tourism Ministry, the number of Sri Lankans visiting that country in 2014 was up by 3.93 per cent at 301,106 arrivals. In this regard, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Director General Malraj Kiriella said that they have plans to promote domestic tourism in Sri Lanka by conducting a television programme covering the 25 districts around the island.
This programme would be carried out to attract more Sri Lankans to tour the country into the lesser known places of interest with highlights into the culture, food, arts and crafts that would be covered for the first time, Mr. Kiriella said. This would be carried out on the theme “see, feel and protect” at a date to be decided but as part of the golden jubilee anniversary celebrations of the local tourism industry scheduled for this month.