Green light for robust Rs. 1 bn Tourism Marketing Campaign

The much awaited and long overdue global tourism marketing campaign received the green light and the Ministry of Tourism will allocate around Rs. one billion for this campaign which will run for a period of one year, said Minister of Tourism, Sports and Land Harin Fernando.

He said that this also includes a budget for digital campaigns and it would be given out to several advertising agencies targeting specific countries which they see potential. “Due to a series of issues this was delayed and now we have got the approval.”

Asked to comment on the current visa hiccups he said that this matter has been brought to the notice of the Cabinet and change for the better is expected soon. “When rival countries offer free visas, Sri Lanka too has to follow and not change or make the visa process complicated.”

“Many people wishing to travel should be able to board a flight and visit and travel in Sri Lanka without having to face issues for visit and wasting time at the airports.”

Meanwhile, for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority signed landmark MoU with Central Cultural Fund (CCF), the Coast Conservation Department (CCD), the Ministry of Health and the Department of Wildlife Conservation to provide addition facilities for tourists and address other shortcomings.

For this purpose the Ministry through their refunds has allocated Rs. 113 million for these ministers which in turn will add more infrastructure to tourists at places they maintain. The first 10 vehicle permits (out of a 1000 under the scheme) to upgrade fleet of vehicles for tourism for the private sector companies were also awarded. Fernando also said that they must thank President Ranil Wickremesinghe for allowing them to import vehicles when the country has a vehicle import ban for nearly four years.

“We also issue 100 more applications for the travel sector next week. This also includes issuing of permits to import 10 E vehicles (buggies) for the Sigiriya area which is going to be Sri Lanka’s first Green Tourism area.”

Meanwhile tourist arrivals from July 1 to 21, 2024 stood at 127,925. In addition the total arrival figure up to July 21 stood at 1,138,174. India was the top source market for the month so far with 30,442 arrivals accounting to 23.8% while the United Kingdom was second (13,162 – 10.3%) and China was third. (8,351 – 6.5%).

“Govt. to set up paying wards for tourists at hospitals”

For the first time the Ministry of Health would be introducing paying wards for tourists in key tourist destinations as Minister of Health Dr. Romesh Pathirana disclosed.

He said that these would be initially set up in Dambulla, Pottuvil and Tissa hospitals. These are mainly to cater to around 5,000 tourist guest rooms spread in these areas. He said Sri Lanka hospital admits patients free of charge even with looking at their ID and treating them from minor illnesses to complex operations and this service is also offered to tourists. “We want to go one step further and now we plan to have paying wards to them which will give them better facilities.”

The Ministry of Health has also received an allocation of Rs. 80 million for this from the Ministry of Tourism. He said that the Minister of Tourism has allocated Rs. 80 million for this purpose and the Health Ministry too would make additional investments towards this. (SS)

“Lifts will be installed to climb Sigiriya”

Creating a major landmark in the Sri Lanka cultural tourism sector lifts would be installed at Sigiriya enabling differently abled guests and senior citizens to move up to the ancient fortress, said the Minister of Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake.

He said that they have lifts that are idling at another site Abayaramaya and they will be brought to Sigiriya and installed which will cater to a new segment of tourists to climb up the fortress. He also said that he was surprised as to why an initiative of this nature was not done before as the lifts were available to be installed.

The minister also disclosed plans to restart the stalled much awaited ‘Light and Water Show’ in Sigiriya which stopped due to various environmental protesters. “We have done some adjustments.”

He also said with the signing of the MoU they will provide additional facilities to tourists at cultural sites. He however opposed allowing balloons to land at Sigiriya peak due to security issues.

The Minister also said that the entry ticket rates of the cultural sites are in par with similar sites in other countries. (SS)

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