Addressing the 58th Annual General Meeting of The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) in Colombo, President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged the tourism sector to adopt an innovative approach to achieve a target of 2.5 million tourists in the upcoming year, subsequently aiming for further expansion.
President Wickremesinghe acknowledged the necessity of breaking away from the current framework and embracing competition to enhance Sri Lanka’s global standing in the tourism market. During the event, he emphasized the importance of fully promoting tourism and encouraged hoteliers to work towards surpassing the current figure of 1.5 million tourists to reach 2.5 million in the next year, with aspirations for continued growth.
Referencing historical practices during the Anuradhapura period, the President highlighted the ancient roots of tourism in Sri Lanka, illustrating the need for a nuanced promotional strategy. While acknowledging historical practices, he advocated for a contemporary approach centered around hospitality.
President Wickremesinghe also pointed to the potential for collaboration with expatriates to further enhance the tourism industry. Drawing attention to successful boutique hotels established around 2003-2004, he stressed the significance of niche markets, citing golf tourism as an example.
Additionally, the President announced plans for the development of Colombo into a tourism area extending to Independence Square. He mentioned an offer received for the transformation of the Bogambara Prison in Kandy into a new hotel school.
Addressing concerns about minimum rates, President Wickremesinghe advocated for a shift towards higher rates, emphasizing the importance of delivering a quality product that justifies the cost. He urged the industry to transcend conventional constraints and adopt a new mindset to achieve the ambitious target of attracting 5 million tourists, as reported by the President’s Media Division in a statement.
