COVID-hit tourism industry battles new Act
View(s):The privately-led tourism industry is fighting tooth and nail to ensure the authorities do not force the new Tourism Act on the sector.
In this respect, they have already stated their refusal to accept the adoption of a new Tourism Act stating that the existing Tourism Act 2005 was an initiative of the private sector to assist the Sri Lanka Tourist Board to reduce the financial burden on the government by raising funds from the private sector industry members with the main objective of promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination globally.
A letter dated April 2 was sent by The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators to Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga in reference to the recommendations requested from them for the new Tourism Act.
As a result the private sector agreed on a financial commitment from its stakeholders by way of a 1 per cent tax on turnover and in this respect, the Act envisaged having private sector representations on all four boards to work with the public sector for the benefit of the industry, the letter stated.
It further noted that while the tourism industry is totally private sector owned it also played a pivotal role in the growth of tourism in the country and served as an ideal model of private public partnership.
However, despite the introduction of the Tourism Act and the funds raised, the industry was unable to get an effective global campaign due to the government’s procurement guidelines.
In a bid to be more effective on the boards, what is required is a change in the operational aspects of these boards that can be achieved by a structural change within the framework of the existing Act rather than an amendment to the Act itself.