Tourist Service Center and Welcome Center in North Central Province

A significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s tourism development was marked on 12th December 2024 with the opening and transfer ceremony of the Tourist Service Center and Welcome Center in Habarana, North Central Province. The project, launched in collaboration between Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea in 2021, represents a step forward in promoting sustainable tourism and empowering local communities.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri, Governor of the North Central Province, Mr. S.L. Nazeer, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, and Mr. Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Ms. Jung Sohngyee, Deputy Head of Mission of the Korean Embassy in Sri Lanka, and Mr. Park Jung Woong from the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) participated from Korean side.

This project’s origins trace back to 2019, when an officer from the SLTDA received an award at a tourism content development contest by KTO in Korea. Over the years, it became a longstanding aspiration to bring this dream to fruition, making today’s achievement all the more significant.

Despite challenges posed by the global pandemic and the country’s economic difficulties, the project has successfully delivered on (i) Community-Based Tourism development, (ii) Capacity building, and (iii) Infrastructure Development such as the Tourist Service Center, and an online information site to enhance accessibility.

Government officials from the Tourism Ministry, SLTDA, and the North Central Province Council, as well as local communities involved in the project, expressed sincere gratitude for the initiative and provided unwavering support throughout its implementation.

Meanwhile, in her congratulatory remarks, Ms. Jung Sohngyee highlighted the longstanding friendship between Korea and Sri Lanka and underscored Korea’s role as a top-five bilateral ODA partner. She also urged the Sri Lankan government to expedite the implementation of the visa fee exemption policy for travelers from 37 countries. This measure, currently under review, is expected to significantly boost international arrivals, including those from Korea.