ADB stresses need to get homestay owners registered under SLTDA

ADB Country Director Takafumi Kadano hands over ADB’s Homestay Guidelines to SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando
PIX BY KITHSIRI DE MEL

• Points registration of establishments imperative, so they contribute to economy by paying relevant taxes and levies

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) yesterday stressed the need to get more of the homestay owners to register with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and ensure they are captured under the formal framework. 
As Sri Lanka is seeing the homestay segment grow with the gradual revival of tourism, the ADB pointed out it is imperative to have these establishments come under the SLTDA, so that they contribute to the national economy by way of taxes. 
“Homestays are an important part of tourism for Sri Lanka but many such unregistered facilities are operating in the country without paying the taxes and tourism levies.  

An objective of the ADB is to support this space. These establishments need to be registered with the SLTDA, so that they pay the relevant taxes,” said ADB Private Sector Development Unit Head Santosh Pokharel, addressing an event that marked the conclusion of the SLTDA’s Tourism Homestay 
Twinning Project. 
The project was supported by the ADB. 
Sri Lanka has over 1,000 homestay facilities and account for about 25 percent of the registered tourism facilities in the island nation. Such facilities are considered an integral component of Sri Lanka’s tourism landscape since it offers visitors an opportunity to actively engage with local traditions through authentic, personalised experiences. 

The Tourism Homestay Twinning Project, which kicked off in September this year, aimed at providing mentorship for homestay owners. The three-month programme saw 36 homestay owners get trained with Jetwing Academy, across six regions – Galle, Negombo, Kandy, Dambulla, Jaffna and Pottuvil. 
Meanwhile, the ADB also formally handed over the revised ‘Homestay Guidelines’ to the SLTDA, which will allow the authority to roll out similar programmes going forward.
With the ADB support, the SLTDA is currently developing e-learning modules through which the homestay owners across the island nation can improve their critical skills and practical knowledge on key operational standards. 

Santosh Pokharel