Tourism Authority draws plans for revival
Sri Lanka Tourism has drawn up plans to revive the tourism industry this year revisiting old projects like Kalpitiya and making the country favourable to investors and providing breathing space for the industry’s survival.
Tourism authorities are currently studying incentives that need to be provided to the tourism industry in a bid to ensure that in three to four years’ time the required upgrading of the sector can be carried out, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Priantha Fernando told the Business Times.
A committee has been appointed to study the incentives to be given to set up registered establishments with the SLTDA. “There are a lot of disadvantages like the TDL (cess) and other taxes that have to be paid but they hardly get any incentives in return,” he said.
He noted that in line with the global changes like climate change and the need to reduce the carbon footprint the authorities are planning a 10-year roadmap to be developed from 2025-2035.
Mr. Fernando explained that nine sustainable tourism units will be established at the provincial level that will allow for decentralisation of most activities.
Through this venture they hope to create a competitive environment between the provinces in a bid to ensure that the provincial tourism units will be able to market themselves better.
Another project authorities are keen on reviving is the Kalpitiya islands project, which they have already commenced with the cancellation of agreements of four investors that have not carried out work on these islands. Fishing communities live on these islands and the agreement sets out a condition that these families need to be part of the plans as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
Kalpitiya’s potential for kite surfing due to the ideal wind conditions is to be promoted, Mr. Fernando said adding that this year they expect a greater flow of tourists to this location.
“We are looking for new investors and we have to find genuine investors,” he said adding that RFPs have already been called for in this regard.
The SLTDA Chairman also pointed out that they had written to the Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara requesting that the hotels be placed on an industrial tariff. The current tariff structure within which the hotels are placed on is disadvantageous to them as they struggle to overcome the current crisis.
Authorities are also looking at developing the North with the adoption of a comprehensive plan mooted by the diaspora. However, a number of issues need to be addressed like land availability and in this respect, a team is scheduled to visit Jaffna and the region by the end of this month.
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