Body, says Ravi K
State plans are underway to consolidate all state-owned hotels to be brought under one body including the armed forces run-establishments.
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake addressing the delegates at the Asia Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (AHTIC) held in Colombo this week said that the government is here to regulate not run hotels.
He pointed out that in this respect the government is looking at consolidating all state-owned rest houses, circuit bungalows and armed forces-run hotels under one body coming under the government.
Sri Lanka is trying to bring in reforms to ensure Colombo could become a duty free zone in the region, the minister said highlighting the future attractiveness of the city.
Board of Investment (BOI) Chairman Upul Jayasuriya noted that Sri Lanka has allowed investors to open up for job opportunities and economic opportunities in the country.
“We give them the opportunity to bring in the labour from outside if they can’t find from within,” he said.
However, he noted that the industries also should be able to offer more to their workers as Sri Lankan labour is considered cheap in the region Mr. Jayasuriya queried why these investors could not offer US$10 more.
The BOI chairman pointed out that another project pursued by the government was the development of the Delft islands and the Beira lake redevelopment in addition to township planning.
Further the government is offering capital allowances of upto 75 per cent to investors and they were encouraged to shift their regional headquarters to Sri Lanka, he said adding that the BOI was tasked with giving approvals within 14 days and if all documents were provided there would not be any obstacle at our end, the chairman explained.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Paddy Withana said that the private sector would run business as Sri Lanka encourages hotel chains to work on their properties.
Under the new plan the government has identified 45 tourism zones mostly located along the coastal belt and based on demand, he explained adding that this zoning would ensure that travelers would visit a number of places during their holiday in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Managing Director Sutheash Balasubramaniam said the government was in the process of setting up the Vision 2020 to position Sri Lanka on the global map.
In this respect he pointed out that the government has plans to launch a promotional campaign globally in 22 markets and was aiming at increasing room capacity by 40 per cent which is currently at around 20,000 and offering new experiences.
In addition, Colombo city would be envisioned to become a “dazzling city” with a host of activities on offer for the discerning traveler. the conflict stopped and believed they have a market here.
Movenpick will be opening its first hotel in Sri Lanka next January and would be among 73 of its global network and is engaged in working in an eco friendly environment and enabling differently abled persons gain employment within their hotels.