The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Buddhika Hewawasam says that the government needs to concentrate on improving air connectivity to the country in order to achieve its long-term tourism targets by 2030.
He likewise urges the government to provide considerable concessions on import responsibilities for automobiles used in the tourist sector through the upcoming spending plan, highlighting that the constraints on lorry imports negatively impacted the overall quality of Sri Lankas tourism sector.Sri Lankas tourism target set for this year is three million travelers and USD 4 billion in revenue.
So this target is going to be extended for the next five years of time.
By 2030 were trying to find USD 10 billion profits and double our specific tourism numbers, at least 8 million to 10 million travelers.
This is in fact a possible target but a tough one thinking about the specific aspects that we require to be aligned with the spending plan along with the federal governments strategic direction, Hewawasam noted.One is the air connection to the country.
We have excellent air connectivity to some locations however overall we require to enhance.
And on the other side, we require a lot of investments for tourist infrastructure development as well tourism hotels, accommodation sector and different other sort of home entertainment amenities.Furthermore, he emphasized: So, we anticipate budgetary concessions as well as government support for such sort of investments for continuous develop this specific sector.
We really acquire a lot of federal government lands and attempt to make them more investment friendly.
We require more homes, more special tourist accommodation in addition to tourism attractions to draw in tourists to Sri Lanka.Vehicle importation to Sri Lanka was restricted.
That adversely impacted tourism.
Among the spending plan propositions we made is to be providing concessions.
Were not requesting for responsibility complimentary or any other type of a thing, but a sensible concession on responsibility, which is in par with in 2015 or year before in order for us to purchase vehicles necessary for tourist industry, the tourist regulative bodys chairman added.Last few year, the tourist market had a lot of monetary difficulties.
A few of the hotels along with homes ...
We expect the budget [2025] to positively consider that element, he stated.