Tourism Minister stresses the need of safeguarding Sri Lanka’s image
July 24, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is adopting innovative measures to leverage information technology for tourism, aiming to meet the needs of travellers worldwide, according to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
Key strategies include smart destination management and the Internet of Things (IoT), which have become essential to meet travellers’ expectations.
The country has completed almost all short-term tourism development initiatives, setting the stage to achieve the target of 2.5 million tourists and US$4-$5 billion in revenue this year.
Tourism Minister Harin Fernando has accused JVP/National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake of harming Sri Lanka’s tourism image, which has been built with great effort over the past two years by dedicated officials and the tourism ministry.
Fernando insists that Dissanayake should be cautious with his words when speaking abroad, as it could backfire on the country.
Fernando challenged Dissanayake to reveal the sources of funding for his recent foreign trips and expressed disappointment in Dissanayake’s understanding of the tourism sector and the progress made
. Dissanayake had recently criticized Fernando, claiming that despite his numerous foreign trips, there has been no significant increase in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka.
At a press conference, Fernando clarified that of the 14 overseas trips he has taken as Tourism Minister, only two were government-funded, with the rest financed personally.
He described Dissanayake’s allegations as unfounded and challenged him to provide evidence for his claims, urging him to disclose details of his own recent trips and their funding.
Fernando emphasized the achievements in tourism under his leadership, noting that targeted marketing efforts have resulted in over 1.11 million tourist arrivals, despite facing over 23 adverse travel advisories when he took office.
He highlighted the resilience of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, which has rebounded from setbacks like the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2023, there was a significant increase in tourist arrivals, generating nearly USD 2 billion in earnings, a hopeful sign for a sector that once achieved USD 4.4 billion in revenue in 2018.
To sustain this momentum, Fernando stressed the need for Sri Lanka to address key areas for improvement, aiming for sustained growth and competitiveness in the global tourism landscape.
He also mentioned that when he took office, many airlines had stopped operations to Colombo due to a fuel shortage. However, leading airlines have since resumed and even increased their frequencies, recognizing the profitability of routes to Colombo.
Fernando reiterated his commitment to boosting Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and defended his international engagements as essential for fostering partnerships and attracting visitors. He called for a more informed and constructive dialogue on the matter, instead of resorting to baseless allegations.
Overall, Fernando’s statements underscore the significant efforts and progress made in revitalizing Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, while urging caution and accuracy in public statements that could impact the country’s image.
