‘Tourism has vast potential to pull us out of economic crisis’

Tourism sector development is a must to overcome the present economic crisis, Western Province Tourist Board Chairman Sugath Hewapathirana said.

The Chairman stated this at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Western Province Tourism Board in Battaramulla.

He said that the tourism sector has a vast potential to be utilized to achieve economic prosperity while overcoming the financial difficulties, which affect almost all sectors of the country.

The Western Province Tourism Board and the Management and Science University (MSU) Malaysia have jointly taken steps to organize many tourism promotion projects in line with World Tourism Day which falls on September 27. World Tourism Day will be celebrated worldwide under the theme ‘Rethinking Tourism’.

Accordingly a bicycle ride called ‘Cycling Tourism’ is scheduled to start from Diyatha Uyana, Battaramulla to Kollupitiya. After travelling to Kollupitiya, arrangements have been made to hold a celebration ceremony at the MSU country office premises.

Pointing out that it has been planned to hold this Tourism Day programme by involving university students in particular, Hewapathirana said that considering the current fuel shortage in the country and the damage caused to the environment due to burning fossil fuels, the bicycle is a viable alternative.

This programme is being implemented by involving school students and university students. At the same time, a poster and art competition has been organized among Colombo schools regarding the tourism industry and prizes will be awarded to the winners, Hewapathirana said.

“Today, our country is facing a big crisis. The tourism industry can get us out of that crisis. We have to rethink the way the world moves forward. We have to overcome the challenges in the tourism industry. We have problems with fuel. We need fuel when travelling. Today, the entire world is facing a fossil fuel shortage. In such a situation, the bicycle is necessary to move forward with the tourism industry. It has been decided to use the bicycle for the advancement of the tourism industry with an innovation,” Hewapathirana said.

“We have to rethink the utilization of cycling for the betterment of the tourism industry. The cycling parade is being organized as a solution to the fuel crisis. Meanwhile, arrangements have been made to hold a special discussion regarding the challenges facing the tourism industry. This is being implemented especially involving the youth,” Lecturer in Hospitality and Tourism Management A.A. Idroos said.

Lecturer Vishwani Kasturiarachchi said that the United Nations theme for this year’s World Tourism Day is a good start to rethink all issues facing the industry.

"It is a precious opportunity for Sri Lanka. It should be taken advantage of. In the past, the tourism industry in this country received high dividends," she said.

She said that it is necessary to educate the youth of the country regarding tourism.

Western Province Tourism Board General Manager Palitha Malporu and Media Coordinator Prasadi Gamage were also present.