Nautical tourism in Sri Lanka remains untapped: BTI

• Can lure at least one million additional tourists for boating
• Need proper infrastructure to capitalise on segment
• Govt. needs to take bold steps

Sri Lanka being an island nation has enough opportunities to lure international visitors for nautical tourism. However, despite the obvious potential, the relevant authorities have done little to capitalise on the fast booming segment, a senior representative of the boating industry said.

While the need and potential of nautical tourism have been advocated for by key business sectors in recent years, Boat Building Technology Improvement Institute (BTI) Managing Director Gamini Herath pointed out that little has been done by the relevant authorities to uplift this segment in the country.

“We need to develop nautical tourism but unfortunately, there is no proper strategy for this development. If we can boost nautical tourism, Sri Lanka will be able to attract at least one million additional tourists for boating,” said Herath, while addressing the inaugural session of Virtual Boat Show 2021 that kicked off yesterday.

Herath stressed the need to have a long-term plan to unleash the potential available for Sri Lanka in this segment but cautioned Sri Lanka needs to act fast, so that it does not fall behind its regional peers.

Countries such as the Maldives, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, among others, have firmly established the necessary infrastructure for nautical tourism and recreational boating, which in turn generates for the nation’s substantial revenue.

According to Herath, Sri Lanka has in place the facilities and more than what other nations can offer for nautical tourism. However, attention is needed in having in place the infrastructure to take the segment forward.

“These are very bold steps the government has to look at, very seriously. We need more and more vessels, both recreational boats and other supplies. I am confident the boat building and tourism industry will benefit from this focus,” said Herath.