Tourism sector ready to get back on track
Looking to contribute 10% of
GDP in near future
Calls stakeholders to build confidence in SL being safe and secure
Points out need to further easing of protocols by 2Q to secure bookings from key markets
UL to add Moscow as new route
to up incoming tourist numbers Five new airlines have requested CAA for clearance, two already approved
Sri Lanka yesterday reopened its doors to international travellers for the first time since the pandemic struck, and the tourism sector is hopeful that with the kick start, it will be able to make a double-digit percentage contribution to the national gross domestic product (GDP) in the near future.
While the local tourism sector, which was well on its way to becoming one of the top revenue generators for the national economy, came to standstill following the 2019 Easter Sunday attack and then COVID19 pandemic in 2020, industry stakeholders are positive about their capabilities in capitalising on the new normal and getting back on track.
“If we can contribute in the near future for about US$ 10 billion return to the economy where we will contribute at least 10 percent of our GDP, then we have achieved together something substantial. It is not going to be an easy task at the beginning because it is going to require a lot of discipline from all of us in the industry,” said Sri Lanka Tourism Development Advisory Council Chairman Hiran Cooray.
Addressing a press conference in Colombo yesterday, held to announce the official re-opening of Sri Lanka as a tourism destination, Cooray stressed the industry must work towards building confidence in the island nation being safe and secure so that bookings can be secured from key markets.
For that, he said it would be necessary to relax the current health protocols for tourists, although not in the immediate future, but at least towards the second quarter.
“One of our main markets, the United Kingdom, for them Maldives, Japan, Greece, and Turkey are the most often sought-after destinations in the summer months. We should be in that list. It will happen when we relax some of the restrictions,” expressed Cooray.
In Sri Lanka’s efforts towards reviving the tourism industry and the three million people it supports through direct and indirect employment, Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairperson Kimarli Fernando affirmed that the industry stakeholders are now on the same page and all efforts are taken by the authority to facilitate an enabling environment.
“We are united. The borders are opened, the protocols are set, and we have done what it takes to ensure Sri Lanka is open and open the right way,” she said.
Fernando acknowledged there have been communication gaps in the past, as witnessed during the Ukrainian pilot project, however she stressed that all issues have been ironed out to ensure the industry progresses.
Meanwhile, national carrier Srilankan Airlines shared that it too has been exploring avenues to increase the number of incoming travellers by looking at new routes.
Its Chairman Ashok Pathirage shared that Moscow will be a new addition which will kick off by February.
“Srilankan Airlines is ready to assist. Moscow can be a good opportunity for us to explore before the season ends. If everything goes well we will have this route by 15 February,” shared Pathirage.
Furthermore, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced that five new international airlines have requested for clearance in landing in Sri Lanka and two have already received approval.