The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), Buddhika Hewawasam, has urged the government to enhance air connectivity and provide duty concessions on vehicle imports to support the country’s long-term tourism goals.
He emphasized that Sri Lanka aims to attract 3 million tourists and generate USD 4 billion in revenue this year, with a long-term target of 8 to 10 million tourists and USD 10 billion in revenue by 2030.
Achieving this, he said, requires strategic investments in air connectivity, tourism infrastructure, hotels, and entertainment facilities.
Hewawasam also highlighted the negative impact of vehicle import restrictions on the tourism sector.
He called for reasonable duty concessions in the upcoming budget to allow the industry to acquire necessary vehicles.
Additionally, he stressed the need for government support in making state-owned lands more investment-friendly, developing high-quality accommodations, and improving overall tourism attractions.
He urged the government to consider the financial difficulties faced by the tourism sector in recent years when finalizing the 2025 budget.
