The brand new area of interest tourism classes shortly after they have been unveiled by USAID Mission Director Gabrial Grau (third from left) and Ministry of Tourism and Lands Director Basic Suranga Vithanage (4th from left). Others (from left): Reneera Paul (USAID), USAID-IPOP Challenge Chief of Occasion Glenn Mackenzie-Frazer, SLTDA Deputy Director-Basic Upali Rathnayake, SLCB Basic Supervisor Krishantha Fernando, and USAID-IPOP Challenge Director Dr. Michelle Pinkowski
- USAID and SLTDA launch new sustainable area of interest technique to spice up tourism
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| USAID Mission Director Gabrial Grau addressing the viewers |
“The brand new sustainable area of interest tourism technique shall be a catalyst to assist additional enhance Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and bolster the nation’s financial restoration,” stated USAID Mission Director to Sri Lanka and Maldives Gabriel Grau, at a particular occasion to launch the brand new technique.
America Company for Worldwide Improvement (USAID) and Sri Lanka Tourism Improvement Authority (SLTDA) not too long ago launched a brand new technique to reenergise the crucial tourism sector by selling a dozen new sustainable area of interest tourism classes. From journey tourism and cultural experiences to hosted/curated experiences and wellness and therapeutic, these classes are set to boost Sri Lanka’s tourism choices and entice extra world vacationers.
Tourism is crucial to Sri Lanka’s financial system because it exits the pandemic and offers with its inside financial disaster. Pre-pandemic tourism represented 12% of the nation’s GDP, producing $ 4.3 billion in income in 2018. Already common as a tourism vacation spot for its pure magnificence and cultural heritage, Sri Lanka will profit from the brand new technique by providing differentiated experiences for travellers searching for an immersive vacation.
Sri Lanka arrivals rose 30% within the first quarter over the identical interval a 12 months in the past, nonetheless, the section is extremely aggressive. Profitable implementation of the brand new technique will enable Sri Lanka to higher set up its model identification, improve its enchantment and market share, create jobs and alternatives throughout the tourism sector, and generate much-needed overseas change. The launch of this technique is a powerful step ahead in USAID’s Indo-Pacific Alternative Challenge (IPOP), and it’ll additional assist SLTDA to convey area of interest tourism companies into the formal sector and assist outline outreach efforts going ahead.
“The rise in vacationer arrivals this 12 months in Sri Lanka is noteworthy,” stated USAID Mission Director to Sri Lanka and Maldives Gabriel Grau at a particular launch occasion held on Friday 9 June at The Barnhouse in Panadura. MD Grau added, “It exhibits that Sri Lanka is once more prepared to grasp its full potential as a worldwide vacationer vacation spot, following years of downturn on account of COVID and the financial disaster. The brand new sustainable area of interest tourism technique shall be a catalyst to assist additional enhance these numbers and assist Sri Lanka’s tourism sector get again on observe and bolster the nation’s financial restoration. I’m notably happy that USAID is engaged on this vital sector and that we’re supporting Sri Lanka’s return to financial stability. With the US having labored side-by-side with Sri Lanka for 75 years, that is what a powerful partnership appears to be like like.”
“Right this moment is a special occasion for Sri Lankan tourism as we launch a brand new sustainable area of interest tourism technique in Sri Lanka. It marks a brand new paradigm for positioning Sri Lanka’s tourism providing to spotlight, assist, and promote these area of interest merchandise, which is able to assist Sri Lanka absolutely exploit its potential to be a high-yielding, experience-driven vacation spot. We thank USAID and the IPOP staff for his or her encouragement and steadfast assist,” stated SLTDA Deputy Director Basic Upali Rathnayake.
USAID launched the tourism exercise underneath IPOP in July 2022 to assist financial reforms and promote overseas direct funding in Sri Lanka. The 2-year venture is aiding SLTDA to streamline and implement new insurance policies and procedures to allow fast-tracking and attraction of overseas direct funding within the tourism sector.
