The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, under Standing Order 27(2), I wish to question the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism on measures to promote the tourism industry.

¶ 02 Although arrivals show some growth, there are issues regarding tourists’ spending power in Sri Lanka as a destination.

¶ 03 1. As the current Minister in charge of tourism — while also serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Foreign Employment — do you have time to implement a strategic program for rapid foreign exchange earnings through tourism? How many rounds of discussions have been held with relevant institutional officials?

¶ 04 2. What is the current amount collected from the Tourism Development Levy (TDL)?

¶ 05 3. How much has your Government invested to date in destination branding for Sri Lanka?

¶ 06 4. Do you have an assessment of current per-tourist spending in Sri Lanka?

¶ 07 5. If so, by country of origin, what are the approximate spending figures?

¶ 08 6. Do you accept that low-spending tourists using subsidized public services (transport, food, water, electricity) impose a net loss on the country? If so, what corrective measures are planned?

¶ 09 7. Are you aware that room rates in star-class hotels remain about 20% lower than pre-Easter-attack daily rates?

¶ 10 8. Do you agree that this requires a Ministry-level discussion involving all stakeholders directly connected to tourism? If “yes”, will you proceed immediately?

¶ 11 Thank you.