The government
aims to merge the SLTDA, the SLTPB, and the Sri Lankan Convention Bureau (SLCB)
into one single agency. Minister of Tourism Development Prasanna Ranatunga told
the Daily FT that he hoped to apply for approval next week a Cabinet paper to
amend the 2005 Tourism Act No. 38.
Ranatunga noted
that the Tourism Act No. 38 of 2005 had divided the entire tourism sector into
four significant institutions, including the SLTDA, SLTPB, SLCB, and the Sri
Lankan Tourism and Hotel Management Institute (SLIM). However, the minister
said the government also concentrated on turning SLITHM into a university
awarded with a degree.
He further noted
that a feasibility study was currently being undertaken by the Ministry of
Higher Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to determine
whether it would convert into a university under UGC or a local or
international affiliated university.
During the last
50 years, SLITHM has focused primarily on hotel management and hospitality,
remaining in line with the broad national objective of the Ministry of Tourism
Development to provide a range of training opportunities for industry
stakeholders to develop their businesses related to tourism through better
operational knowledge, skills, and competencies.
The aim behind
converting SLITHM into a degree-awarding university is to enhance further the
Institute's quality, standard and recognition, and education. The lack of
real-time hardcore learning and development for industry and enterprise-level
employees had been a significant concern that has not addressed for many years.
The new agency will be called Tourism of Sri Lanka. With the necessary
amendments to the Act, they hope that the consolidated agency will be better
able to provide a proficient service to all industry stakeholders.
OSL Take: Sri
Lankan government has committed significant resources towards the uplifting
tourism industry in Sri Lanka and has shown an increasing willingness to engage
with the critical stakeholders in the private sector in the tourism industry. Sri
Lanka’s tourism authorities have commenced promotional campaigns to attract
visitors to the country following the setback faced by the tourism sector
following the Easter Sunday attacks.
The government
of Sri Lanka has already introduced a relief package to the tourism sector.
Given all these developments, the country’s tourism industry is showing signs
of revival. Many foreign investors have already expressed confidence in the
country’s tourism industry, and it’s growth potential. Therefore, international
businesses/investors could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri
Lanka’s tourism sector.
Further, Sri
Lanka’s geographical positioning in the Indian Ocean, the ease of doing
business environment in the country, and the strong trade ties with other
countries as well as the continuously growing tourism industry make the island
the ideal business/investment destination in South Asia. Foreign businesses
could, therefore, confidently explore business opportunities in Sri Lanka’s
airport and the aviation industry as well as the opportunities in developing additional
infrastructure facilities.
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