What it takes for Sri Lanka to achieve 5 million tourists by 2021
Achieving targets
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry underwent several challenges over the past two years, including the Easter Friday explosion (2019) and then the COVID -19 pandemic (2020). Travel restrictions were imposed to control the pandemic situation that directly impacted negatively on reaching the established tourist targets.
However, according to Hardy Jamaldeen, a Director at Hayleys Plc, Sri Lanka still has the potential to reach its targets in the future only if certain changes are done to the system. While appreciating the accommodation services offered by luxury hotels in Sri Lanka the likes of Saman Villas, he highlighted the importance of improving the capacity at the BIA. He also highlighted the need to develop domestic airports in the country and the need to offer friendly immigration policies for travellers.