Sustainable Tourism Development Project.docx

7/30/2019 Sustainable Tourism Development Project.docx

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Sustainable TourismDevelopment Project World

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The Government of Sri Lanka envisions building tourism as anindustry playing a significant role in the economic advancementof the country whilst preserving the countrys cultural values,ethos and its rich natural endowment. In view of the recentpolicy reforms to develop the competitiveness of the tourismsector in a sustainable manner, the World Bank has agreed withthe Government of Sri Lanka to provide assistance for theimplementation of the Sustainable Tourism DevelopmentProject (STDP). The Financing Agreement for this Projectbetween the Government of Sri Lanka and the World Bank was

signed on 8th November 2010.

The overall objective of the STDP, which is in line with theGovernments vision, is to strengthen the institutionalframework of the tourism sector and to facilitateenvironmentally and socially sound tourism investments. TheProject which spans over a period of 4 years covers fundingunder three components as setout below:

(i) funding to improve the overall efficiency and efficacy of theinstitutional framework of Sri Lanka Tourism,

(ii) provide essential highly localized tourism relatedinfrastructure services in the East,(iii) improve and extend the product content and supply chainof the small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) related to thetourism industry.

he Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is committed to developing the currentand potential new markets. Together with the Sri Lankan Government and the local andinternational media partners, the SLTDA offers investors various attractive and feasible tradesupport schemes and business opportunities.Currently, a strategic medium-term (10 years) infrastructure and product planning anddevelopment plan has been implemented for the tourism industry. This strategic plan is basedon the market demand for high and mid-end markets. The plan hopes to gain profitabilitythrough better yields, sustain the integrity and value of Sri Lanka's natural, cultural andhuman resources, and to ensure the optimum visitor experiences. The SLTDA hopes that thebenefits of the strategic plan will accrue to all communities who are connected with thetourism industry.

New Strategic Development Plan for Sri Lanka Tourism


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Ministry of Economic Development officially launched the Tourism Development Strategyfor the next five years period of 2011-2016 at a grand ceremony held yesterday (05th Sep.) atthe Cinnamon Lakeside hotel. A large gathering of tourism stakeholders including theindustry representatives, diplomats, media and government officials were among those whograced the occasion and the strategy document was officially handed over by Chairman of Sri

Lanka Tourism to the Economic Development Minister Hon. Basil Rajapaksa who was thechief guest of the event .

According to the newly launched Tourism Development Strategy, the main target of thetourism sector in the next five years is to achieve a target number of 2.5 million tourists by2016 being in line with the January 2010 visionary statement unveiled by MahindaChinthanaya spelling out plans for 2011 tourism development policy including details of Visit Sri Lanka 2011 initiative. The 5 year master plan Strategy document of EconomicDevelopment Ministry halfway through refers to 2020 plans as envisaged by FinanceMinistry as well.

The 36-page document puts together the expectations set for the development of tourismindustry in the said time period covering all aspects of infrastructure development,standardization of products and services, improving the brand awareness and finally gearingall efforts towards achieving sustainability in the long run as booming sector directlycontributing a large share to Sri Lankas Economic Development. Ministry of EconomicDevelopment is implementing the plan at the correct time to drive attention of allstakeholders to contribute to achieve the set goals spelt out in the publication focusing plansand targets until 2020.

The initiatives and policies of the newly launched publication will act as a benchmark fortourism sector for the next five years to come with the stretched goal of preparing the

industry to move forward to achieve targets specified up to year 2020.

Addressing the gathering at the event Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman,Dr. Godahewa said in hisspeech that that the strategy document has clearly put together the expectations of the tourismindustry for the next five years, so that all stakeholders could focus and work together toachieve the speicified goals. Tourism is a peoples industry as it benefits all. This strategydocument will help align all to be focused on one direction with a common goal,Dr.Godahewa said.

With a tag line Refreshingly Sri Lanka: The Wonder of Asia and as worlds most treasuredisland the specific strategies related to the five year plan are, 1) creating an environment

conducive for tourism; 2) attracting the right type of tourists; 3) ensuring that departingtourists are happy; 4) improving domestic tourism and 5) contributing towards improving theglobal image of Sri Lanka. The unique selling propositions of destination Sri Lanka are, 1)authenticity, 2) compactness and 3) diversity.

The document quoting the visit 2011 campaign, says that Sri Lanka Tourism focuses on eight product categories under the theme 8 wonderful experienced in 8 wonderful days and theyare Beaches (Pristine), Sports and Adventure (Thrills), Heritage sites (Heritage), Mind and


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Body wellness (Bliss), Scenic beauty (Scenic), Wild life and nature (Wild), People andCulture (Essence) and Year round festivals (Festive).

At a time when Sri Lanka Tourism has achieved the target of 500,000 tourists in less than 8months , the launch of the new tourism development strategy is seen as a welcome sign for

the future of Tourism Industry in Sri Lanka.

Projects at SLTDASearch this site

Projects Future Projects

Tourism Infrastructure Projects Interactive Map of Sri Lanka

New Product Development Domestic Tourism Projects Sustainable Tourism Development Projects Regional Tourism Projects

Passikudah ResortPrior to 1983 Passikudha was a popular resort among tourists both foreign and local. It was locatedby the bay on a land 150 acres in extent. The resort at the time was planned to accommodate 500rooms in several stages and by 1983 there were 171 rooms in operation in three hotels andnecessary infrastructure facilities were in place. Water was supplied from Valachchanai Paper Millssources which are about 10 km from the resort. Operation of the resort came to a grinding halt afterthe riots in 1983.

Regional Tourism ProjectSearch this site

The Ministry of Tourism has taken an initiative to promote lesserknown attractions in all provinces in the country. These attractions willbe communicated to potential travellers and investors through the

various media i.e. web sites, printed materials etc.,We request you to join hands in order to compile this database of lesserknown attractions. This project will bring benefits to your locality suchas;

Give visibility to your local area Bring more local and international travellers to the vicinity Encourage investment
http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#002http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#002http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#002_1http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#002_1http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#001http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#001http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#003http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#003http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#005http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#005http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#006http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#006http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#006http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#005http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#003http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#001http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#002_1http://www.sltda.gov.lk/projects#002


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Sustainable Tourism Development Project.docx

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