Sri Lanka Tourism Highlights the Need for Strategic Aviation Policy – Boosting Tourism & Travel

If Sri Lanka is to achieve its ambitious goal of recording five million arrivals by 2029, a comprehensive and strategic aviation policy needs to be put in place. This was brought into the spotlight on the Daily FT news website on 12th September this year as it quoted Priantha Fernando, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. As mentioned, in June 2023, IATA or the International Air Transport Association also called on the country to create an aviation blueprint that would develop the aviation industry that would lead to enhanced economic growth.

According to Mr Fernando, issues such as a lack of synergy between aviation and tourism policies need to be addressed; he further went on to reveal that to attract airlines as well as boost inbound tourist traffic, a more marketing-oriented approach needs to be taken. As stated, other aspects that needed looking into were the augmenting of seat capacities as well as offering new airlines incentives to operate in the country.

This Indian Ocean nation has for long been a popular choice amongst tourists who have been arriving once more not only to enjoy its famed beaches but also the rich history and heritage; in this regard, the area known as the ‘Cultural Triangle’ is a prominent hotspot with hotels in Dambulla, Sri Lanka catering to visitors flying in from around the world. This includes properties like Amaya Lake, Dambulla from where travellers can visit key historical attractions such as the Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple as well as experience nature-based adventures.