(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) –Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga says that steps will be taken to expedite the formulation of the National Tourism Policy and introduce it to the tourism industry this year.
Until now, a national tourism policy has not been implemented in the country. The Minister said that the formulation of this National Tourism Policy was initiated last year in line with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Vision Prosperity Statement.
The National Tourism Policy has already been drafted. The Minister pointed out that steps have been taken to obtain the views of the public and to seek the views of universities and organizations engaged in the field of tourism.
After studying the relevant proposals, it is expected to include appropriate proposals in the National Tourism Policy which is currently being drafted. Thereafter, he hopes to present this national tourism policy to the Cabinet and Parliament. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) provides consultancy services for the formulation of this National Tourism Policy.
The new tourism policy has been drafted in line with the provisions of the Vision of Prosperity National Policy Framework of people-centered economic development, physical resource development, sustainable environmental management and productive citizenship and prosperous human resources.
Minister Prasanna Ranatunga pointed out that in order to achieve sustainable development of the tourism industry in the country, the benefits should be shared among all its stakeholders.
This national policy will build an efficient and effective tourism industry in the country by providing an effective framework for the tourism industry, improving the structure of the corporate framework, overhauling the regulatory framework, upgrading the information management process and improving the market environment.
According to the Minister, by 2025, the tourism industry is expected to generate more than 1 million jobs and generate more than $ 10 billion in revenue.
Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that a tourism strategic plan is being implemented for this purpose.
