The Government will focus on formulating a National Tourism Policy to re-elevate the tourism industry in Sri Lanka based on “Sustainable Tourism”.
The plans for a new Policy formulation were revealed during a recent discussion held between Robert Juhkam, Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) to Sri Lanka, and Prasanna Ranatunga, Minister of Tourism.
The UNDP Fund will be providing the following;
o A precise scrutiny on the impact of the Covid 19 on Sri Lanka's tourism industry.
o Preparation of a Tourist Road Map for the promotion of tourism in Sri Lanka
o Provide immediate assistance from the United Nations Development Fund and local advisers to the Covid-19 Fund as a solution.
o Developing a mobile software for tourists visiting Sri Lanka.
o Providing human resource assistance to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.
Furthermore, the new National Policy will be focusing on;
o Establishing a National Tourism Policy.
o Restoration of Tourism Strategy Plan.
o Establishing a technical consulting unit
Under this, a strategic publicity campaign will be launched in various parts of the world to promote the tourism industry.
Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, S. Hettiarachchi, Chairman of the Tourism Development Authority Kimali Fernando and Director General of the Tourism Development Authority, Dhammika Wijeratne were also present on the occasion.
