SLTDA successfully hosts intra-governmental dialogue on joint facilitation for tourism investments

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) successfully organized an event focused on facilitating investments in the tourism industry. The event which was attended by the Minister of Tourism Vijitha Herath as well as the Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, also brought together Heads of key government ministries and agencies to discuss the importance of collaboration in streamlining the approval process for investors.

The primary objective of the event was to highlight the government’s role in directing and facilitating private sector investments in Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. Government officials from various authorities actively participated, addressing key areas essential for economic and employment growth. The discussions emphasized the crucial need to focus on enhancing the ease of doing business in Sri Lanka to increase the country’s attractiveness to global tourism investors, thereby improving investor experiences and boosting tourism sector growth through foreign direct investments (FDIs).

Minister of Tourism Minister in his speech stated “Collaboration is key to unlocking Sri Lanka’s tourism potential. By streamlining investment processes, we can drive growth, create jobs, and strengthen our position as a world-class destination”, while the Deputy Minister of Tourism said “A thriving tourism sector requires strong partnerships. Together, we can create an investor-friendly environment that benefits our economy and showcases Sri Lanka’s unique charm to the world”. The SLTDA Chairman explained the objectives of the event, while during the open forum discussion, speakers from other key agencies underscored the importance of reducing costs and delays in the approval processes, which would ultimately encourage investors to focus on project development and job creation.

By fostering greater cooperation among government agencies, the event was aimed to position Sri Lanka as an investor friendly, more attractive and an efficient destination for tourism investors. To support this cause, the SLTDA had already developed a Land Bank Management Information System (LBMIS) as a pioneering initiative for identifying, cataloging, and managing land resources to promote tourism investments for economic development.