Fresh drive to lure more tourists to Esala Perahera

'Destination Kandy' would be the theme during the Kandy Esala Perahera season this year and tourism would be developed within the framework of the country's culture and religion, Tourism Deputy Minister Faizer Mustapha said. The deputy minister was speaking to the informal and formal sector connected with tourist hotels and restaurants, at a meeting presided over by him held at Hotel Suisse.

Mr. Mustapha said that there were certain hotels and restaurants which could not be registered with the Ceylon Tourist Board (CTB), as they do not conform to the standards set by the CTB.

He said he would make arrangements to give temporary licences to these hotels and restaurants until such time they come up to the standards when they could obtain permanent licences.

At this meeting a participant complained his liquor licence which he held for three years was not renewed and suggested that in such cases they should be renewed for the same period as when they were obtained. He also said that when ministers visited Kandy all roads were closed and tourists could not get about.

The deputy minister said he would look into such instances and added he could not believe that roads were closed when ministers arrived. He also said that in developing tourism it must not be forgotten that this country was deeply religious. He added that the culture of the country should be foremost in their minds. Prior to the meeting he visited the Hotel School where he said there was a demand for Sri Lankans in the tourist trade.