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The decision to consolidate tourism-related agencies by forming a National Tourism Commission which is expected to be operational soon is lauded by many stakeholders in the industry.
“The move to synergise the operations of the main agencies of the tourism industry was a good move that will help improve the coordination of agencies which is vital to enhance operational efficiency of these bodies”, a hotelier from the South, Sarath Peiris said.
According to a top official of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) the National Tourism Commission which is under Cabinet review is expected to be approved at the next Cabinet meeting.
“The synergy among tourism agencies will help to smoothen operations similar to what we see in many countries including India,” the SLTDA and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau Chairman, Budhika Hewawasam said.
The National Tourism Commission will be the decision-making body while the agencies will implement the decisions that are taken.
Tourism industry stakeholders who commended the move said bureaucratic hurdles such as obtaining approvals and finalising agreements were a major hassle in the past due to a lack of coordination and agencies not seeing eye-to-eye with the objectives of the industry.
A senior tourism industry personality and former Grand Oriental Hotel Chairman, Rohan Jayasinghe said seeking approvals in the past from tourism agencies was a cumbersome process that discouraged new initiatives in the industry.
“There has to be better coordination and quick decision-making with those heading the institutions knowing what to do”, a tour guide in Negombo, Camillus Silva said.
Foreign and Tourism Minister, Vijitha Herath spoke about the move following the Elections last year, saying that the Government had planned to combine the agencies within the Tourism Ministry and appoint a Commission.
He said the objective of the merger of agencies was to revive the sector.
The move to bring the main agencies related to tourism is said to boost the thriving sector further as the industry is aiming at higher visitor-arrival numbers this year and in the following years envisaging higher earnings for the tourism sector. The SLTDA formed in 2005 to replace the Sri Lanka Tourist Board is presently the primary agency overseeing tourism in the country. It manages the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau which looks into the marketing and promotion aspects, the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management oversees the human resource development sector and operates the Hotel School. The Sri Lanka Conventions Bureau looks into the conventions side of the tourism sector. The Tourist Police Unit functions under the Ministry of Tourism.
Besides, the Inter-Ministry Tourism Steering Committee helps in implementing strategic plans for tourism.
Free visa plan to take off soon
The Tourism Minister will go ahead with the plan to extend free visas for nationals of 39 countries. A Cabinet paper in this regard will be submitted shortly, according to Ministry sources.
The plan to offer free visas for six months was proposed and approved during the former regime.
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