Home Stay concept to be implemented
To identify tourist attractions at local level and promote them
Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on National Economic and Physical Plans directs its attention towards bringing five million tourists to Sri Lanka in the year 2024 and in the simultaneous preparation of infrastructure development.
This was taken up for discussion when the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans met in Parliament on Friday (8) under the Chairmanship of MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
Tourism and Lands Ministry officials told the Committee that they have planned to implement the Home Stay concept. The officials also pointed out that plans have been made to bring wealthy tourists to Sri Lanka in the coming year.
Furthermore, in order to attract more tourists to Sri Lanka, the Committee pointed out that the general society of Sri Lanka should be prepared to welcome such tourists. Accordingly, the MPs present said that they should not fleece tourists and prepare a system to welcome tourists respectfully. The officials pointed out that training programmes are already being conducted in selected areas.
Furthermore, the Committee also pointed out that it is important to identify the places with tourist attractions at the local level and prepare methods to promote them.
In addition, approval was given following consideration of the 2022 annual report of the Tourism and Lands Ministry, the 2020 annual report of the Tourism Promotion Bureau, the 2022 annual report of the Industry Ministry and the 2022 annual report of the Companies Department Registrar, the 2019/2020 annual reports of Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka Limited, the 2021/2022 annual reports of Lanka Phosphate Limited, the 2020 annual report of the Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel.
MPs Eran Wickramaratne, Ashok Abeysinghe, Sudath Manjula, Madhura Withanage and Gunathilaka Rajapaksha were present at this Committee meeting.
