Australian consultants discuss tourism plans

Authorities are currently in discussion with Australian authorities to obtain consultancy services to assist the industry’s forward thinking plans.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Udaya Nanayakkara told the Business Times that through the Australian High Commission they had approached consultants in Australia to assist in the promotion of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.

Dismissing speculation of going against government plans that had secured the services of the McKinsey after being proposed by the Prime Minister’s Office, it was pointed out that this was not the case. On the other hand the bureau had sought the offices of the Australian consultants due to the viability of such an option, the Chairman said.

Concerns were first expressed regarding the use of Australian consultants by Minister John Amaratunga who believed this would go against the government proposed McKinsey consultants already involved in a number of areas of state-run projects.

Mr. Nanayakkara pointed out that the previous consultants approached already under contract by the Sri Lankan government, McKinsey, had attempted to offer their consultancy services for US$1.6 million for which they conducted negotiations to bring it down to $900,000.

However, under the agreement with the Australian government the bureau would be able to obtain the services of the Australian consultants with no expenses incurred in this context. The services would be obtained under a line of assistance that government provides to developings countries like Sri Lanka.

The bureau has been in discussion with the consultants from Australia over the previous week when they were in town on how to introduce a tourism component as part of their services.

Moreover, these consultants were said to meet with other top government officials including the Policy Planning Ministry including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. (SD)