Industry woes shared with Tourism Minister

• Minister gives verbal assurance required support will be extended
• Says will make sure necessary goods “formally” delivered to stakeholders

The private sector stakeholders of the tourism sector met with the officials of the Tourism Ministry this week to share their concerns with regard to the repeated challenges faced in steering forward. 

One of the key concerns expressed by the stakeholders is having access to fuel, due to the ongoing shortage, which has made it difficult for the industry to bring in the required goods to carry out the operations in a smooth manner.

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga took to social media to share that the stakeholders were given the assurance that the “transportation of necessary goods will be formally delivered to the tourism sector”. 
The gazette notification on the limitation imposed on the importation of 367 non-essential items was also discussed, for which the minister said that steps would be taken to draw the “special” attention of the Finance Ministry to assist the sector in bringing down the goods required. 

In a press briefing held earlier this week, the industry stakeholders said they would extend their support to the government on the limit imposed on the importation of certain goods. 

Even though the delegations are expected in the coming months, such as the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) convention that will be held in April, the industry said it could manage to cater to the crowds with the existing stocks.

“Tourists will not be impacted with no apples or oranges being served. International tourists are not consumers of such. What will hamper the service delivered will be the inability to serve imported liquor and spirits. This again we are certain we can get down with special permission,” Jetwing Symphony Chairman Hiran Cooray told journalists this week.

He shared his comments while addressing a press conference jointly organised by the top Tourism Development Levy (TDL) association in the sector, regarding the controversial proposed Tourism Act. 
Cooray pointed out that as long as the tourists are provided the service they expect at the fullest capacity, they are not concerned about the fuel or food shortages in the country.

Cooray, along with the other senior representatives of the main tourist association, asserted the need for the Sri Lanka Tourist Development Authority (SLTDA) to step up efforts in ensuring that the industry can carry out its operations in a smooth manner, regardless of the economic situation of the country.