Tourism Min, SLTDA call for more private sector support

The private sector was called on by the government and state authorities to play a more participative and active role in uplifting the local tourism landscape, so that destination Sri Lanka will be able to secure a larger share of the global tourism market.

The Tourism Ministry recently stressed the need to offer unique and innovative products, services and experiences to cater to international visitors, whose demands and requirements have changed since COVID-19 grappled the world.

Tourism Ministry Secretary S. Hettiarachchi said the private sector involvement is prime in the current juncture, as they possess and have access to the required know-how to uplift the slowly reviving sector.

“The government and ministry cannot do this alone. We are in need of different kinds of products to develop Sri Lanka Tourism. We need tremendous support from the private sector,” he said.

Hettiarachchi expressed his views at the One Island Thousand Treasures campaign launch in 
Colombo yesterday.
Over 95 percent of the tourism sector is operated by the 
private sector.

Registered businesses with Sri Lanka Tourism contribute one percent of their annual turnover (Tourism Development Levy) to the SLTDA. The funds from the private sector essentially fuel the promotional activities carried out by the SLTDA.

Reflecting similar sentiments was SLTDA Chairperson Kimarli Fernando, who just as Hettiarachchi, stressed the need for greater support from the private sector stakeholders.
Fernando pledged assistance from the SLTDA for the initiatives put forward by the private sector.

She also pointed out that the bulk of the integrated global promotion efforts has received the necessary approvals and would be rolled out in the coming months.