‘Visit Sri Lanka’ official travel mobile app to see light soon
Minister Ranatunga with D. Sanansuriya, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson of the Tourism Development Authority, Dhammika Wijesinghe, Director General, Keerthi Herath, Chairman and Managing Director of www.hotelshipo.com at the event
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that a ‘Visit Sri Lanka’ official travel mobile app would be introduced this year. The mobile application has been named Visit Sri Lanka and is currently being developed, the Minister said.
“With the introduction of the new application, it will be possible to purchase tickets for all locations related to the tourism industry”, the Minister said.
The Minister expressed confidence that this mobile application would be a turning point in the tourism industry in the country and that it would be implemented in line with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ‘Saubaghyaye Dekma’ policy statement.
He was speaking at the introduction of the mobile booking application for hotel bookings to be launched by www.hotelshipo.com. The ceremony was held at the Ministry of Tourism last Friday.
The creator of the mobile app, www.hotelshipo.com is a completely Sri Lankan company. Their mobile phone app allows you to book hotels and accommodation at the same prices available in the country. The ability to make these reservations through all foreign currencies is unique.
According to the company, these types of mobile phone applications operating in the country are run by foreign companies and as a result the country loses around US $ 800 million annually. Information on all hotels in the country is due to be included in this mobile application.
Minister Prasanna Ranatunga pointed out that the introduction of such a mobile application by a local institution is highly commendable. Visit Sri Lanka is the official mobile app for this purpose. The mobile app is expected to include tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants, travel information, Google maps, graded tour guides, and tourist police emergency services.
The Minister said that the government is taking steps to expedite the introduction of new technology to the tourism industry and a programme is already underway to popularize tourist attractions in the country through social media and that the support of the private sector is sought for this.