Kishu bids farewell to tourism; set to return to corporate sector
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Kishu Gomes said yesterday that he submitted his resignation to Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga effective from today to allow the newly elected president to appoint a new Chairman following the election during the weekend. Gomes revealed to Mirror Business that he will return to the corporate sector shortly after over a nine months stint at the country’s tourism office, as he’s currently finalizing terms of a offer made by a leading firm.
He is expected to reveal further details of his return to the corporate sector next week.
Before joining the tourism office, Gomes functioned as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC. Gomes said he is content about his tenure at Sri Lanka Tourism despite several constraints experienced in the public administrative and procurement processes, in particular playing key role in leading recovery of the tourism sector in the aftermath of Easter Sunday attacks.
Gomes was instrumental in putting in place a successful recovery programme for the country’s tourism industry following Easter attacks, which killed over 250 people including 42 foreigners.
By end-october the industry had recovered up to 80 percent just in 6 months reviving hopes of early recovery as compared to the time taken by other countries in similar situations.