Tourism stakeholders say more needed from reappointed minister

• Call for appointment of a new chairman for SLTDA
• Say expect no further delays in sorting out burning issues in industry

The tourism sector stakeholders yesterday welcomed the reappointment of Prasanna Ranatunga as the Tourism Minister but said more is expected under his leadership this time round. 

The private sector representatives of the tourism sector stressed the need for the ministry to be more proactive in ironing out the issues in the industry and expect the reappointed minister to step up efforts in this regard.

One of the key demands of the private sector stakeholders is to appoint a new chief to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), who would be more of a team player and actively look into the challenges faced by the industry. 

“Whilst congratulating Prasanna Ranatunga on his reappointment as the Tourism Minister, we appeal to him to appoint a new, more competent chairperson, with knowledge and understanding of the tourism industry, in order to unite the stakeholders and take the industry forward at this critical juncture,” said the One Voice Once Industry (OVOI) and Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) in a joint communiqué to the media yesterday.   

The stakeholders said they look forward to the minister taking over without delay and immediately addressing the burning issues currently faced by the industry and its stakeholders. 
“We will extend our unstinting support to the minister in these endeavours,” the associations said in their statement. 

The tourism sector was hopeful of 2022 being a year of revival and recovery. The year kick started with an impressive arrival rate of tourists. However, the ongoing crisis, due to the mismanagement of the economy, has delivered another hit to the already struggling sector. 

The industry repeatedly called for help in ensuring operations continue without interruption, for which the SLTDA assistance was required. Despite several representations made, the private sector stakeholders have maintained that the authority continues to give a deaf ear to their issues. 

The SLTDA has come under harsh criticism in the recent past for being a non-team player and getting priorities mixed up.