As Sri Lanka returns to normality after the tragic Easter Sunday terror attacks, the country’s tourism board has provided another update on how it is moving forward.
With authorities’ strategic operations carried out to contain the situation and the arrest of those responsible, Sri Lanka’s Minister for Tourism, John Amaratunga (pictured above), said the country is rapidly returning to normalcy, and the tourism industry is readying itself for what was to have been a record mid-season in what would have been a record year of growth.
“Tourism is a strategically critical sector in Sri Lanka’s ever-expanding economy. It’s now the third-highest revenue generator for the country and it is estimated that 500,000 individuals depend on it,” he said.
“From the fishermen, to the farmer to the tuk tuk driver, to the king coconut seller on the roadside, they all benefit from the tourism industry. On the flip side, thousands of people are directly employed in the hospitality sector.
“Therefore, many Sri Lankans from various walks of life are stakeholders of the tourism industry. We have seen darker days but have always bounced back, better and stronger. Our resilience as a nation is unrivalled.
“This is our strength and we will show the world that Sri Lanka will once again be the top destination to visit.”
Onward and upward
Sri Lanka Tourism has planned out 34 roadshows for 2019, of which four have already been completed, and as committed to moving forward with the remaining 30.
In addition to the roadshows, Sri Lanka Tourism will continue with its destination marketing efforts in 62 travel fairs around the world, of which 38 have already been completed.
Sponsorships and pre-planned event schedules will also move forward in Sri Lanka in 2019, such as the World Surfing League, the Amateur Golf World Cup, the West Asia Baseball Cup, the Kandy Esala Perehera, and the 71st AIESCC International Congress.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka has invited foreign travel journalists and bloggers to visit to help the global tourism community, industry stakeholders and global travellers alike understand that the vast majority of the island was unaffected by the Easter Sunday attacks.
The update from Sri Lanka Tourism is the second official one it has made since the deadly terror attacks, having issued one late last month.
