President discusses 2030 tourism targets with industry representatives

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a discussion with representatives of tourism industry associations at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (28) on achieving targets of generating US$10 billion in tourism revenue and attracting five million tourists to Sri Lanka by 2030.

Talks covered steps to further promote the tourism sector. Particular attention was given to improving domestic air travel facilities, especially to destinations such as Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Sigiriya and Jaffna. It was noted that 10 new international airlines had commenced flights to Sri Lanka this year. Measures required to increase that number to 50 were also discussed.

The meeting focused on utilising national parks that attract tourists to support growth of the tourism industry, while introducing laws and regulations to protect forest resources. Progress on global promotional campaigns currently being implemented to promote Sri Lanka's tourism industry was reviewed.

Discussions were also held on bringing all tourist hotels and accommodation providers under the relevant legal framework by requiring them to register with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, with the aim of formalising the country's tourism industry. Special attention was given to introducing the necessary laws and regulations to govern businesses operated by foreign nationals in Sri Lanka in violation of the prescribed legal procedures.

Those who attended included Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando; Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage; Sri Lanka Hotels Association President Ashoka Hettigoda; Vice President of the Resorts Association Eksath Wijeratne; Deputy President (General) Dimitri Coorey; Senior Management Committee member Chamin Wickramasinghe; Chief Executive Officer Priyantha Fernando; and Bobby Jordan Hansen, President of the Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators Association. Members of the task force established to promote the tourism sector and representatives of several tourism industry associations were also present.