Tourism industry must depend on its own in future crises
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry needs to ensure it has the required buffers and shocks to take on any future crisis as it had done in the past without overly trying to depend on the government to save their backs.
This was the clear message from the Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe, Chief Guest at the Tourism Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) AGM held this week at the ITC Ratnadeepa in Colombo who pointed out that the industry needs to ensure they build up the necessary “buffers and shock absorbers” that are needed so it can overcome any crisis without having to depend on the government and request for moratoriums.
He recalled the days when the tourism industry met him on several occasions with complaints about the moratoriums and noted that with the past behind he is satisfied that the industry has returned to stability.
With the country achieving political stability with a newly elected government in place the Governor believes that economically as well Sri Lanka is today in a more stable position.
In this respect, he pointed out that the industry needs to learn from lessons of the past when going forward.
Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said that tourism is the driver of long term sustainable growth and the industry has been identified by the government as a priority.
The government intends to establish Sri Lanka as a top tourism destination; a large revenue source for foreign exchange earnings; increase employment opportunities and increase investment opportunities, he said.
Authorities are aiming at creating a year round destination and hope to address some of the key challenges of creating unity among stakeholders and move from the traditional to a more authentic destination and create awareness among the general public to become tourism savvy.
Minister Herath noted that if the industry will join hands with the government they hope to drive sustainable and inclusive growth in this thriving industry.
Sri Lanka Tourism and Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam highlighted the need to establish a strategic vision and policy for the destination and then showcase the destination with a global campaign that should take on more than just a 5-country promotional campaign.
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