The Travel and Tourism sector is heading for a boost with a new government in place. The Chinese news agency Xinhua quoting government figures said that tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka hit the 1.6 million mark in November with the arrival of over 175,000 tourists to the country by the end of the month.
The new government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is planning to double tourism by early next year and the launch of several promotional campaigns is in the pipeline.
The campaign will target India, China, and Britain which have been the leading markets for Sri Lanka tourism. President Rajapaksa is in discussion with the travel trade on how to aggressively market Sri Lanka Tourism globally.
Private sector bodies such as the Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), Colombo City Tourist Hotels Association (CCTHA), Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL) are in discussion with the newly formed government. Many stakeholders have expressed confidence and optimism of revival, provided urgent action is taken on threats and challenges.
