Sri Lanka plans to establish new model to strengthen tourism sector

The Sri Lankan government is planning to establish a new model to boost tourism in the island country, which will ensure greater coordination, maximization of resources and delivery of efficient and effective services, local media quoting Minister of Industrial Export, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prasanna Ranatunga reported here Wednesday.

The new model will include establishing a single agency consolidating the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB).

Ranatunga told the Daily FT that he hoped to submit a Cabinet paper for approval of establishing such an agency next week.

"The new agency will be named Sri Lanka Tourism. With the necessary amendments to the Tourism Act, we hope the consolidated agency will be in a better position to provide an efficient service to all stakeholders of the industry," the minister said.

In addition, the minister said that the government is also focusing on transforming the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management into a degree-awarding university.

The minister said this would help turn tourism-related employment more attractive in the country.