Govt. instability delays tourism promotions
The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) is currently carrying out the much-talked about digital campaign in the five markets and is awaiting approvals for the Rs.3 billion global promo.
The digital marketing campaign that was launched by the selected advertising agencies in the respective markets of India, China, UK, France and Germany is currently underway, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau sources told the Business Times.
They noted however, that the much-awaited global promotion campaign is likely to be delayed further due to the inability of the authorities to take decisions on obtaining approvals from Cabinet for funding the project worth Rs.3 billion for the next three years.
Until such time that a Minister is appointed and a board is in place most of the key decisions for the running of the affairs at the promotion bureau including its day-to-day matters were on hold, sources said.
A new ministry secretary was appointed by the President since the last re- shuffle of Ministry Secretaries with the newly-appointed Secretary at the Tourism Ministry being S. Hettiarachchi acting with caution in taking decisions by Wednesday.
The newly-appointed Tourism Minister Vasantha Senanayake told the media in Parliament that he would be submitting his resignation to the President from his current portfolio. As a result the ministry is likely to be without a minister.
As part of the process involved in obtaining approvals for the global campaign the authorities need to obtain cabinet approval for it to be carried out for the next three years and allocate funds of Rs.1 billion each year. The campaign is scheduled to take place in India, China, UK, France, Germany, Australia, the Middle East, Scandinavian countries, Benelux states and Japan.
Authorities need to select an agency to carry out the promotion and establish destination representing companies in a bid to maintain a good rapport during the conduct of the campaign.
In addition the agency selected would have to work with the authorities to create the brochures and media letters including content development and support in trade shows with PR companies.