tourism infrastructure in sri lanka

Sunday May 19, 2024

Group News Sites

Dailymirror

Sunday Times

Tamil Mirror

Middleast Lankadeepa

Life Online

Home delivery

Advertise with us

Unlocking Sri Lanka’s tourism potential: Challenges, opportunities, and strategies

Tuesday, 14 May 2024 00:00 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Creating a conducive environment for leisure and recreation is essential for attracting and retaining tourists

(The writer is the Head of Sales at Skywings Travel, UK which has over 30 years of experience in the travel industry.)

Recent columns

• Get Involved

Transforming Tourism in Sri Lanka

Transforming Tourism in Sri Lanka. Emerging from crisis as a strong, resilient and rebranded industry

To report any concerns regarding the operations of UNDP in Sri Lanka, including grievances related to staff behaviour and management of funds, please do contact the Project Manager:

Ramitha Wijethunga |  [email protected]  | 0773 444 179

Link to Corporate Grievance Policy - Link 

Related Materials

Strategic support to post-COVID tourism revival and transformation in Sri Lanka

Social and Environmental Sustainability

Purchase Order Summary

End-Term Evaluation of the UNDP Sri Lanka Country Programme (2018-2022)

Project Results

Project Tenders

Activity Web Page

December 2022

PROJECT OFFICE

Implementing partner.

United Nations Development Programme

UNDP Funding Windows

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Delivery in previous years.

2020 $34,695

2021 $17,290

Related Content

Press Releases

Youth co:lab national youth dialogue 2023 in sri lanka aims to unlock youth potential through upskilling for sustainable development.

Youth Co:Lab National Youth Dialogue 2023

International Symposium on Sustainable Plantation Management.

Accelerating Change

UNDP partners with Ideamart, Vibhava Solutions and Zero Plastic National Movement for the ‘HackaDev Green Innovation Challenge’

Encouraging further collaboration on the Green Innovation Challenge, spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, as part of its f...

• Our Services
• Tourism Development Levy
• Sri Lanka Tourist Attractions
• Tourism News
• Know your Industry
• New Product Development
• Product Development
• Existing Product Development
• TAX SCHEMES
• Investment Support
• Get Approval for Tourism Projects
• Contact our Officers
• Development Standards

Sri Lanka Tourism Strategic Plane 2017 - 2020

Download Application

English Application

Sinhala application, tamil application, tourism services.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is committed to developing Sri Lanka's tourism services. Periodically reviews are undertaken and possible improvements and developments cited.

The SLTDA periodically

Identifies and develops its products and services

Formulates and implements varied Tourism Development Guidelines

Facilitates and implements relevant legal and administrative processes for new establishments

Products and Service Development

The sltda aids in.

Facilitating the preparation of Regional Tourism Development Plans

Preparing/ facilitating Strategic Environment Assessments and measuring the impact on the environment

Establishes, maintains and supervises the Regional Tourism Offices

Identifies and maintains an inventory of potential development areas

Liaises with the SLTPB, Government Agencies, Provincial councils and Local on related areas of concern

Liaising with Government Authorities

The sltda maintains good relations with the varied government authorities in order to facilitate tourism infrastructure development and products and services development. the sltda aids in.

Declaring tourism development areas and managing related functions

Acquiring lands for tourism development

Examining and verifying proposals for investment and processing of applications

New Tourism Product Development

The sltda is committed to help.

Plan the development of new tourism products such as sports tourism, cruise

Tourism, Eco Tourism and Special Interest Tourism

The SLTDA liaises with potential investors for new projects/joint ventures and assists in implementing externally funded projects. Moreover it aids in preparing projects and other proposals for fund raising to facilitate products.

Services Development

Developing existing services is vital. the sltda helps.

Facilitate information and data of products and services

Carry out research related to new products and services

Track new trends in products and services

19th May, 2024

Tourism industry: Increasing arrivals and infrastructure development key

25 Dec 2022 | By Vinu Opanayake

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is gearing up to improve the tourism sector, including the much-required infrastructure development, based on a 10-year plan that is due to kick off next year. 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando stated that the authority would take one step at a time towards developing the industry and the master plan would be a prominent step. 

“There are 46,000 rooms in Sri Lanka, which is a good number. Apart from that, we are anticipating Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) as well. We will not be able to increase the arrival figures overnight. Infrastructure development has to be kept up in line with tourism demand. Arrivals need to be seen to tap into infrastructure development,” Fernando noted. 

He stated that if the supply was not parallel to tourism demand – with infrastructure development being the supply and tourist arrivals the demand – the stakeholders might lose financially.

However, he stated that the authority welcomed and encouraged FDIs specially in construction of hotels. According to him, such projects take a couple of years to be completed. Further, investments are also welcomed in the fields of entertainment and recreation.   

Fernando noted that in terms of the required number of rooms, the authorities would be adopting a cautious approach. 

According to official data, as of 2018, the total room inventory was 36,133. Classified tourist hotels (one to five star) had the highest inventory of 12,828 rooms. Colombo and Galle Districts recorded the highest number of rooms (over 7,000 rooms). 

The lowest number of rooms was recorded in Monaragala, Ratnapura, Kegalle, and Kurunegala Districts (less than 500 rooms). Out of 1,192 respondents, 60% of tourists rated the accommodation facilities as excellent and very good. Only 9% of tourists rated the quality of rooms as poor or very poor. 

However, Fernando stood firm by the existing infrastructure and stated that it was not ‘that bad’. 

“Infrastructure is not bad. The issue is entrance tickets are being increased without prior notice. We have plans to increase visa fees as well. Recently authorities enabled visa on arrival for Taiwanese as they are not known for overstaying. On the other hand, another issue is that foreigners are doing business illegally and this deprives the livelihoods of locals.”

Tourism is one of Sri Lanka’s top three foreign exchange earnings methods, the other two being worker remittances and exports. The export industry has been performing exceptionally well despite many external and internal setbacks. 

According to the data provided by the Export Development Bank (EDB), monthly export earnings have been surpassing the $ 1 billion mark consecutively now. Worker remittances, on the other hand, have been reflecting the lost confidence in the economy, with them dropping by over 40% Year-on-Year (YoY). 

Policy decisions taken by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) last year too affected this drop. Hence, hope of emerging from the economic crisis has been pinned on tourism and exports now. Tourism is in dire need of development as the country possesses immense potential to make tourism receipts. 

Tourism Development Levy 

The Tourism Development Levy is a popular levy in the industry. The Ministry of Tourism in consultation with the Ministry of Finance introduced the levy in September 2003 for the development and promotion of Sri Lanka tourism.

Fernando stated that the levy was directly linked to the tourists who were coming into the country and the money they spent. The levy of 1% is collected from SLTDA-registered establishments. For institutions having an annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 12 million or a quarterly turnover not exceeding Rs. 3 million, the levy is 0.5% on the turnover of such institutions.

“The Tourism Development Levy has decreased from what it was in 2018 and 2019. As a result, we had to cut down our promotional programmes and expenditure. A percentage of the levy gets distributed to poor establishments and SLTDA gets only 14%. A bulk of the collected funds – about 70% – goes to Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) for promotional campaigns,” Fernando stated. 

Struggling to survive

Meanwhile, The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) President M. Shanthikumar told The Sunday Morning that at present Sri Lanka tourism was merely surviving. 

“Arrivals have been very poor. The tourism industry is not doing great at the moment. Our focus is on promoting and getting tourists. It is only once we get tourists that we can talk about infrastructure. Most of the funding has to be done for promotions. While 1% is collected from the levy, we are not in a position to spend rupees due to low collection and dollars due to non-availability. However, we can engage in digital marketing,” he stated.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning , LIRNEasia Chair Prof. Rohan Samarajiva stated that when developing infrastructure for tourism, one had to categorise different kinds of tourism – group tourism, which Sri Lanka used to get in the old days, and free, independent travellers, who are looking for authentic experiences, and so on. 

“If you really want to get tourists, you need big hotels and highways for guests to reach tourist destinations. Once they get to the hotel, there is an ecosystem around the hotel. If you go back and look at the original Bentota complex, it was created when the country’s infrastructure was not in place. They carved an area, ensured electricity, and water was uninterrupted. A higher level of law and order was maintained here than in the rest of the country. We graduated from the zone hotels and now we expect hotels around the country,” Samarajiva explained. 

He added that Sri Lanka’s connectivity had been good as bookings could be made through websites and intermediaries such as booking.com. However, he suggested improvements to be done to connectivity, development of transport, and guidance.

Tourism goals

According to Tourism Minister Harin Fernando, Sri Lanka aims to attract nearly 1.5 million tourists in 2023, with the main focus being on 2024.

Speaking at a press conference held in Colombo recently, Fernando was hopeful that Sri Lanka’s tourism sector would grow over the next few months, with several airlines scheduled to fly into the island.

Fernando noted, however, that the ministry’s primary objective was to achieve roughly three million tourist visits in 2024 with the implementation of several new services, including ferries and railways operating in Sri Lanka.   

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka. Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!

More News..

Tourism Infrastructure

Information about the tourist infrastructure in sri lanka.

Vehicle owners were able to secure well-paying jobs in being drivers for the tourism ministry. This not only cheapened the cost of travelling for tourists, but this also brought out trust & confidence in government-sponsored tourism.

Construction of hotels and luxury resorts has brought about thousands of new jobs to local Sri Lankans and these moves made by the government have inspired foreign investors to step into the hospitality industry of Sri Lanka as well.

As a result of all these efforts, almost a decade later, Sri Lanka now receives an astonishing 2 million tourists per year in 2017 which is forecasted to double by the end of 2019. Large amounts of money that tourism is bringing to the national economy are re-invested to support the ongoing development of tourism infrastructure in Sri Lanka.

Travel companies in Sri Lanka

If tourists want the whole tour planned by a reputed travel company, it’s very easy to do so with the tour agencies. From reputed conglomerates to small business owners, many have taken steps to venture into the booming tourism industry through the founding of travel & tour agencies. Tourists find the services provided by the agencies very convenient as everything will be planned beforehand. From picking up at the airport, helping in every way possible while on tour and dropping back at the airport for departure, the tour agencies have been an immense help for hassle-free travel as this removes the possibility of tourists being fraudulently overcharged for products or services while travelling in the country.

Information about local/public transport in Sri Lanka

Travelling using the public transport system in Sri Lanka is the best gateway to be a part of the true Sri Lankan experience. The public trains & buses give a mindful insight into the travel affairs/habits of a common Sri Lankan. Apart from saving you a pile of cash, these buses or train rides can be extremely rewarding. The majestic sceneries, friendly locals & happenings around you will bring you closer to the authentic Sri Lankan culture. Train rides, in particular, are grand throughout the country, but a train ride towards Badulla or Kandy will definitely make you travel back to Sri Lanka many times more.

The public transport system is much cheaper and very affordable even on a backpacker’s budget. There’s even a special grade of luxury buses allocated only for the tourists. The tickets prices are are a bit higher, yet still reasonable.

You can check the Sri Lankan bus schedule here .

An efficient road and train network around the country allows for easy travel anywhere easily. Tourists who may find themselves in need to have an aerial view of the country may do so by checking with the local airport flights . The air tickets are often less than 300$, but be sure to check the prices before confirming the booking.

Useful information about Airports, opening times in Sri Lanka

These are the international airports you can find in Sri Lanka.

• Bandaranaike International Airport
• Ratmalana Airport
• Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport

These are the Domestic airports you can find in Sri Lanka.

• Anuradhapura Airport
• Batticaloa Airport
• Sigiriya Airport
• Koggala Airport
• WRZ Weerawila Airport
• Jaffna Airport (Palaly)
• Katukurunda Airport
• Kandy Airport (Under Construction)
• Iranamadu Airport
• Hingurakgoda Airport
• Palavi Airport
• China Bay Airport
• Vavuniya Airport

Getting around by air within Sri Lanka certainly has its merits and this makes the whole experience come with a considerably heavier price tag compared to bus or train travel. But this hasn’t stopped tourists from taking a short trip by plane.

As for international flights to Sri Lanka, the Bandaranaike International Airport handles all inbound and outbound flights. Over the past decade, Sri Lanka significantly increased it’s flight services to the middle-east, Singapore, Malaysia and other European countries. The airport operates all night and day and has 24-hour services such as ATM machines, money exchanges, concierge services, car rentals, hotels and lounges.

Health issues, diseases, risks etc in Sri Lanka

A girl playing with an elephant in the wild Fortunately, Sri Lanka has had no major disease breakouts recently and it’s mostly safe for both foreigners & locals. However, it is better for tourists to take the necessary vaccines. You can check the list of vaccinations recommended before travelling to Sri Lanka in this article here .

As for travel disease risks, it is recommended that you keep a card of panadol with you for mild headaches on a stressful day. The country however suffered a considerable threat from Dengue, a disease caused by a certain type of mosquito. The situation is successfully contained and sorted out through islandwide dengue prevention programmes.

The most prevalent health risk a tourist may face while in Sri Lanka is Diarrhoea. The culprit here is always attributed to hotels serving unhygienic food and perishable food prepared days ago. Tourists are advised to take a nice long look at the hotels or restaurants for signs of unhygienic conditions.

If you have health conditions such as Diabetes, pressure or other conditions, you can always find hospitals within reach. Government hospitals may treat you for free or charge you a ridiculously small fee. If you want a separate room and special care, there’s always private hospitals and the prices may be heavier depending on the condition.

Heath services and medical costs are lower and very affordable in Sri Lanka. Some tourists travel from countries like the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom for dental services, bypass surgeries and such at Sri Lanka’s top private hospitals since even with all the travelling and hospital bills, it’s only a fraction of what it would cost for the same services in western countries.

There is a famous Buddhist verse in the country, “ Arōgyā paramā lābhā ” which translates to “Health is the ultimate profit”. This concept is what made the free healthcare for all possible in Sri Lanka. Despite the class, wealth or racial differences, all Sri Lankans vehemently oppose unfair prices on health services or medical costs as they believe all should have access to healthcare even when the patient has no money to pay for the services.

Other useful information about tourism in Sri Lanka

If anyone plans to travel to Sri Lanka without the help of a travel agency, there are a few things to always be prepared for. User Booking.com to reserve your rooms and Eats & Retreats to book holiday villas. This usually gets you the cheapest deals and keeps the hotel owners or hosts in check as you could leave them a negative feedback in case something is wrong. It may sound silly, but negative reviews do great damage to businesses.

The first thing you should do after arriving at the airport is to get a new phone number. The most popular local mobile network is Dialog which has the best coverage in Sri Lanka.

If the chances of you having to take the public bus or trains are high, make sure you download the mobile apps for the Sri Lankan Bus schedule and the Sri Lankan Train Schedule . It’s very important you have them as even locals would not know the precise times of arrivals and departures unless they use the routes frequently.

Keep in mind that Sri Lanka’s emergency dial number is 119. You can contact 119 if you feel you are in danger. The appropriate officers will be dispatched if the danger proves to be real. Have the number with you at all times.

Licence or Product Purchase Required

You have reached the limit of premium articles you can view for free. 

Already have an account? Login here

Get expert, on-the-ground insights into the latest business and economic trends in more than 30 high-growth global markets. Produced by a dedicated team of in-country analysts, our research provides the in-depth business intelligence you need to evaluate, enter and excel in these exciting markets.

View licence options

Suitable for

• Executives and entrepreneurs
• Bankers and hedge fund managers
• Journalists and communications professionals
• Consultants and advisors of all kinds
• Academics and students
• Government and policy-research delegations
• Diplomats and expatriates

This article also features in The Report: Sri Lanka 2019 . Read more about this report and view purchase options in our online store.

Sri Lanka aims to spread tourism's benefits around the country with new offerings

Sri Lanka | Tourism

Sri Lanka has long been known as a beach destination, but the island offers considerably more, and industry leaders are encouraging the development of alternative destinations to appeal to a wide variety of interests. These include adventure and experiential travel and wellness tourism, as well as travel to areas that were previously off-limits to foreign visitors because of civil conflict. “Every region in Sri Lanka has a story to tell,” Sanath Ukwatte, president of the Hotels Association of Sri Lanka, told OBG. Developing new destinations and activities while ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth helps to avoid two typical tourism industry challenges: tourists circuiting a limited number of increasingly crowded sights, and local communities being left out of the economic windfall that can arrive in the wake of discovering a new tourism hotspot.

Cooperation Is Key

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has outlined its commitment to ensuring a balanced relationship between hosts and guests in destinations, and to improving popular tourist spots in a way that benefits the local community and indigenous people. Included in this are efforts to disseminate and improve essential hospitality skills in the industry, and to form a coherent national policy.

Recognising that such a large undertaking can only be achieved with the cooperation of government, local communities and businesses, the SLTDA has partnered with the Australian government’s Market Development Facility (MDF). The public bodies plan to collaborate on a series of projects that target diversifying the Sri Lankan tourism sector with the development of a network of “micro-destinations”. An important aspect of the programme is to seek out businesses that are rooted in the community but can widen engagement with the national tourism industry, and to include those people who might not otherwise benefit from tourism.

Local Benefit

The first initiative run by the MDF and SLTDA is a pilot project based in Unawatuna, a popular tourist destination on the southern coast. It involves a feasibility study of setting up a night market and developing a sustainable business model for employment generation and economic empowerment for the area’s vendors. A key focus of the programme is engaging members of the local service industry, including those in remote and former conflict-affected areas of the north and east who may possess different skill sets and education levels. To heighten awareness of overlooked areas of the country, Cinnamon Hotels is taking part in the project by sponsoring a tour for travel bloggers around the Northern and Eastern Provinces. These have lagged behind other, better-known areas in terms of tourism traffic and destination marketing, despite their considerable potential.

Another project partner is Pepper Life, an experiential tourism company that is also working to diversify and expand tourism into emerging destinations like the Eastern Province. In these areas, activities including guided tours and village lunches engage local communities and provide more income-generating opportunities, in addition to honing skills development.

Experience & Adventure

In the Eastern Province town of Panama, near Arugam Bay, MDF has partnered with wildlife safari operators at Kumana National Park, as well as organised homestays and established beach campsites. They aim to capitalise on tourists’ desire to have an authentic Sri Lankan experience, and the homestays and campsites add to the area’s tourism accommodation and infrastructure offering. Another emerging segment with substantial growth potential is adventure tourism. Edge Adventure Outfitters, a sports company that offers a variety of activities including white water rafting, kayaking, hiking, abseiling and camping, is looking to expand its presence in Sri Lanka and introduce new offerings such as river canyoning, sea kayaking and river safari expeditions. The expectation is that this will increase investment in outdoor adventure tourism and direct tourist traffic to unexplored areas, benefitting communities in those regions.

Request Reuse or Reprint of Article

Read More from OBG

In Sri Lanka

OBG Global CEO survey 2020: Charting the risks and rewards faced by emerging markets      …

Report: How can the private sector capitalise on opportunities in the Saudi leisure industry? Saudi Arabia is undergoing a period of sweeping social transformation and economic diversification underpinned by Vision 2030. This is creating a fertile environment for private businesses to expand into emerging market segments to meet rapidly rising demand from the Kingdom’s relatively young and aspirational consumer class, particularly in areas such as entertainment, hospitality, sport and retail. The national transformation agenda envisions that the private sector will become the …

Mexico's Texistepec industrial complex to help strengthen global supply chains   Once fully operational, the 300-km-long Interoceanic Corridor across Mexico’s Isthmus of Tehuantepec is expected to complement the Panama Canal and transport goods representing 1% of global GDP. One of the largest of the industrial complexes, the 500-ha Centro ProIstmo at Texistepec, will add value to the raw materials and electronic components produced in Mexico and abroad, helping make the corridor one of the most important trading nodes in the Western Hemisphere. …

Register for free Economic News Updates on Asia

“high-level discussions are under way to identify how we can restructure funding for health care services”, related content.

Featured Sectors in Sri Lanka

• Asia Agriculture
• Asia Banking
• Asia Construction
• Asia Cybersecurity
• Asia Digital Economy
• Asia Economy
• Asia Education
• Asia Energy
• Asia Environment
• Asia Financial Services
• Asia Health
• Asia Industry
• Asia Insurance
• Asia Legal Framework
• Asia Logistics
• Asia Media & Advertising
• Asia Real Estate
• Asia Retail
• Asia Safety and Security
• Asia Saftey and ecurity
• Asia Tourism
• Asia Transport

Featured Countries in Tourism

• Indonesia Tourism
• Malaysia Tourism
• Myanmar Tourism
• Papua New Guinea Tourism

Popular Sectors in Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka Economy
• Sri Lanka Industry

Popular Countries in Tourism

• The Philippines Tourism
• Thailand Tourism
• Oman Tourism

Featured Reports in Sri Lanka

Recent Reports in Sri Lanka

• The Report: Sri Lanka 2019
• The Report: Sri Lanka 2018
• The Report: Sri Lanka 2017
• The Report: Sri Lanka 2016

Privacy Overview

Connecting the Connected: How Is Sri Lanka Prepared to Respond to Digital Tourists?

• First Online: 02 March 2022

Cite this chapter

• R. S. S. W. Arachchi 2 ,
• J. A. R. C. Sandaruwani 2 &
• G. V. H. Dinusha 2  

704 Accesses

1 Citations

Technology and travel joint force reinvent the travel cycle in the twenty-first century. Modern travelers demand immediate assistance, seamless experience and personalized content and services than ever before. Internet, Mobile Technology, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT), and Big Data give travelers an unbridled sense of freedom, convenience with the instant access to any information. Further, it personalizes the vacation and provides instant booking and social sharing on digital spaces. This study focusses on how Sri Lanka, as a tourism destination, adapt the technological trends into its supply system. This study focused on four major operators in the tourism industry; hoteliers, restauranteurs, airlines and tour operators. The data were collected based on semi-structured interviews and observations. The study’s results and discussion highlight the prevailing technological kick-ups within leading hoteliers, restaurants, airlines, and tour operators in Sri Lanka. Digital transformation and technology adaption across the accommodation sector identified virtual tours, augmented reality content, mobile check-in, self-check-in kiosks, digital concierge, cloud-based Property Management Systems (PMS), smart rooms. Restaurants in Sri Lanka are investing in digital enhancements that appeals to all of the senses of hyper-connected mentality via robot waiters, online food ordering and delivery apps, digital menus with customizing options, self-service mobile apps. Sri Lankan Airline as the only airline operator in the country, is reshaping the flying experience expanding mobile commerce via Sri Lankan Airlines App, e-wallets, security technologies, including robot inspection dog, self-service check-in kiosks, VR entertainment on flights, and in-flight Wi-Fi. Travel agencies adapt technology to streamline their operations, boost operational performances, personalize online tour planning, and multiple digital marketing facets to attract tech-savvy travelers.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Compact, lightweight edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info
• Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Smart Tourism Technologies: How Effective Are They for Millennial Tourists?

Development of Information and Communication Technology: From e-Tourism to Smart Tourism

A backwards-sloping supply schedule is a unique economic theory application where suppliers are depicting a trend to supply less the market price is high. As noted by Bull ( 1995 ), supply will be decreased after a certain point of higher price level due to “tour operators margins are squeezed, and travel and lodging suppliers are not interested in selling to operators, so the supply ‘component’ dries up” (100). However, the quantity supply reduced to the principal component, the tour operator/travel agency’s demand only. Hoteliers’ supply curve for direct customers (local tourists as per this study) may remain as a positive slope.

Aarthy, C. J., & Badrinarayanan, M. K. (2019). Automation and enhanced service delivery through process improvement in the hospitality industry. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE), 8 (4), 2842–2848.

Article   Google Scholar  

Akehurst, G. (2009). User-generated content: The use of blogs for tourism organisations tourism consumers. Service Business, 3 (1), 51–61.

Baba, N., Shahril, A. M., & Hanafiah, M. H. (2020). Self-ordering kiosk usage and post-purchase behaviour in a quick-service restaurant. Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Culinary Arts, 12 , 360–376.

Google Scholar  

Baltescu, C. A. (2015). The online assessment of tourism services. The hotel market from Brasov County. Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Brasov. Economic Sciences Series V, 8 (57), 141–148.

Batat, W. (2019). Digital luxury. Transforming consumer experiences . Sage.

Book   Google Scholar  

Bethapudi, A. (2013). The role of ICT in the tourism industry. Journal of Applied Economics and Business, 1 (4), 67–79.

Bilgihan, A., Okumus, F., Nusair, K., & Bujisic, M. (2014). Online experiences: Flow theory, measuring online customer experience in e-commerce and managerial implications for the lodging industry. Information Technology & Tourism, 14 (1), 49–71.

Boes, K., Buhalis, D., & Inversini, A. (2016). Smart tourism destinations: Ecosystems for tourism destination competitiveness. International Journal of Tourism Cities, 2 (2), 108–124.

Buhalis, D. (2003). eTourism: Information technology for strategic tourism management . Pearson (FT/Prentice Hall).

Buhalis, D. (2015). Working definitions of smartness and smart tourism destination. Retrieved from: http://buhalis.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/working-definitions-of-smartness-and.html . Accessed 4 Jan 2021.

Buhalis, D., & Amaranggana, A. (2014). Smart tourism destinations. In Z. Xiang & L. Tussyadiah (Eds.), Information and communication technologies in tourism 2014 (pp. 553–564). Springer.

Buhalis, D., & Amaranggana, A. (2015). Smart tourism destinations enhancing tourism experience through personalisation of services. In I. Tussyadiah & A. Inversini (Eds.), Information and communication technologies in tourism 2015 (pp. 377–389). Springer.

Buhalis, D., Harwood, T., Bogicevic, V., Viglia, G., Beldona, S., & Hofacker, C. (2019a). Technological disruptions in services: Lessons from tourism and hospitality. Journal of Service Management, 30 (4), 484–506.

Buhalis, D., Harwood, T., Bogicevic, V., Viglia, G., Beldona, S., & Hofhacker, C. (2019b). Technological disruptions in services: Lessons from tourism and hospitality. Journal of Services Management, 57 (8), 1093–1107.

Buhalis, D., & O’Connor, P. (2005). Information communication technology revolutionising tourism. Tourism Recreation Research, 30 (3), 7–16.

Bulchand-Gidumal, J., & Melián-González, S. (2015). Information Technology (IT) in hotels: A full catalogue . Available at SSRN: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2771059

Bull, A. (1995). Economics of travel and tourism . Longman.

Caragliu, A., Del Bo, C., & Nijkamp, P. (2011). Smart cities in Europe. Journal of Urban Technology, 18 (2), 65–82.

Carlin, M. L. (2005). Self-service takes off. Retrieved from https://hospitalitytech.com/secure-file/2517 . Accessed 24 Jan 2021.

Cavusoglu, M. (2019). An analysis of technology applications in the restaurant industry. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 10 (1), 45–72.

Cloudbeds. (2015). How hotels operating costs affect the bottom line . Retrieved from https://www.cloudbeds.com/articles/how-hotel-operating-costs-affect-the-bottom-line/ . Accessed 29 Dec 2020.

Collins, G. R., & Cobanoglu, C. (2008). Hospitality information technology: Learning how to use it (7th ed.). Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.

Collins, G. R., & Cobanoglu, C. (2013). Hospitality information technology: Learning how to use it . Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.

Curran, J. M., Meuter, M. L., & Surprenant, C. F. (2003). Intentions to use self-service technologies: A confluence of multiple attitudes. Journal of Service Research, 5 (3), 209–224.

Datta, B. (2019). Understanding the booking patterns of Indian outbound travellers. GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites, 24 (1), 246–251.

Driver, J. C. (1999). Developments in airline marketing practice. Journal of Marketing Practice: Applied Marketing Science, 5 (5), 134–150.

Estêvão, J. V., Carneiro, M. J., & Teixeira, L. (2014). Destination management systems: Creation of value for visitors of tourism destinations. International Journal of Technology Management, 64 (1), 64–88.

Eye for Travel Business Intelligence. (2016). An eye for travel business intelligence improving the airline experience how technology is changing customer experiences and communications . Retrieved from https://drivaartsdriva.com/files/resources/EfTravel-Relay42-Report_Improving_the_airline_experience_2016.pdf . Accessed 20 Jan 2021.

Future Travel Experience. (2020). 12 Technology trends for airlines and airports to focus on in 2020 . Retrieved from https://www.futuretravelexperience.com/2020/01/12-technology-trends-For-airlines-and-airports-to-focus-on-in-2020/ . Accessed 29 Dec 2020.

Gretzel, U., Werthner, H., Koo, C., & Lamsfus, C. (2015). Conceptual foundations for understanding smart tourism ecosystems. Computers in Human Behavior, 50 (C), 558–563.

Griffy-Brown, C., Chun, M. W. S., & Machen, R. (2008). Hilton hotels corporation self-service technology. Journal of Information Technology Case and Application Research, 10 (2), 37–57.

Hjalager, A. M. (2010). Progress in tourism management: A review of innovation research in tourism. Tourism Management, 31 (1), 1–12.

Jenner, G. (2009). Self-service switch. Airline Business, 25 (12), 50.

Kazandzhieva, V., & Santana, H. (2019). E-tourism: Definition, development and conceptual framework. Tourism: An International Interdisciplinary Journal, 67 (4), 332–350.

Kim, M., & Qu, H. (2014). Traveller’s behavioural intention towards hotel self-service kiosks usage. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 26 (2), 225–245.

Koui, E. (2017). Avant l’appétit: An augmented reality interactive menu that elevates the gourmet food experience . Retrieved from https://scholarworks.rit.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=10770&context=theses . Accessed 7 Jan 2021.

Law, R., & Jogaratnam, G. (2005). A study of hotel information technology applications. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 17 (2), 170–180.

Law, R., Leung, R., & Buhalis, D. (2009). Information technology applications in hospitality and tourism: A review of publications from 2005 to 2007. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 26 (5–6), 599–623.

Makarem, S. C., Mudambi, S. M., & Podoshen, J. S. (2009). Satisfaction in technology-enabled service encounters. Journal of Services Marketing, 23 (3), 143–144.

Mandic, A., & Garbin, D. (2019). The impact of ICT on actors involved in smart tourism destination supply chain. e-Review of Tourism Research, 16 (2/3), 234–243.

Martini, U., Buffa, F., & Notaro, S. (2017). Community participation natural resource management and the creation of innovative tourism products: Evidence from Italian networks of reserves in the Alps. Sustainability, 9 (2314), 1–16.

Murphy, H. C. (2011). An investigation of data management and property management systems in hotels. Tourism and Hospitality Management, 17 (1), 101–114.

Murphy, J., Gretzel, U., & Pesonen, J. (2019). Marketing robot services in hospitality and tourism: The role of anthropomorphism. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 36 (7), 784–795.

O’Connor, P., & Murphy, J. (2004). Research on information technology in the hospitality industry. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 23 (5), 473–484.

Oracle. (2018). How artificial intelligence enhances the hotel guest experience . Retrieved from https://www.oracle.com/a/ocom/docs/dc/using-ai-enhance-hotel-guest-exp.pdf?elqTrackId=3817dd2d0aa14afca2b1faada14e1ec8&elqaid=77095&elqat=2 . Accessed 14 Jan 2021.

Oronsky, C. R., & Chathoth, P. K. (2007). An exploratory study examining information technology adoption and implementation in full-service restaurant firms. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 26 (4), 941–956.

Oyedele, A., & Simpson, P. M. (2007). An empirical investigation of consumer control factors on the intention to use selected self-service technologies. International Journal of Service Industry Management, 18 (3), 287–306.

Paluch, S., & Wirtz, J. (2020). Artificial intelligence and robots in the service encounter. SMR. Journal of Service Management Research, 4 (1), 3–8.

Raina, V. K. (2017). NFC payment systems and the new era of transaction processing. In Mobile communication technology (pp. 73–96). IGI Global.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. (2018). Annual statistical report . Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. (2019). Annual statistical report . Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority.

Sudasinghe, H. D., & Dinusha, G. V. H. (2020). A study on factors influencing E-tourism adaption of the registered micro, small and medium inbound travel enterprises in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Unpublished Manuscript. Belihuloya: Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.

Talón-Ballestero, P., & González-Serrano, L. (2013). Yield revenue management in the hotel sector: An empirical analysis of its application and results in Madrid, Spain. In Á. Matias, P. Nijkamp, & M. Sarmento (Eds.), Quantitative methods in tourism economics (pp. 213–231). Physica.

Chapter   Google Scholar  

Thakran, K., & Verma, R. (2013). The emergence of hybrid online distribution channels in travel, tourism and hospitality. Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, 54 (3), 240–247.

The New York Times. (2013). Speedy check-in lets hotel guests bypass front desk. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/19/business/speedy-check-in-letshotel-guests-bypass-front-desk.html . Accessed 20 Jan 2021.

Victorino, L., Verma, R., Plaschka, G., & Dev, C. (2005). Service innovation and customer choices in the hospitality industry. Managing Service Quality, 15 (6), 555–576.

Walker, T. (2012). Digital marketing & distribution trends in hospitality – Alberta hospitality, Fall 2012 . Retrieved from http://www.ahla.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/abhfall12.pdf . Accessed 5 Mar 2021.

Wang, D., & Fesenmaier, D. R. (2013). “Transforming the travel experience: The use of smartphones for travel”, information and communication technologies in tourism 2013 (pp. 58–69). Editorial Springer International Publishing.

Wirtz, J., Patterson, P. G., Kunz, W. H., Gruber, T., Lu, V. N., Paluch, S., & Martins, A. (2018). Brave new world: Service robots in the frontline. Journal of Service Management, 29 (5), 907–931.

WPTravelBooking. (2020). Online travel booking statistics & trends 2020 . Retrieved from https://wptravelbooking.com/online-travel-booking-statistics-trends-2020/ . Accessed 6 Mar 2021.

Xu, F., Buhalis, D., & Weber, J. (2017). Serious games and the gamification of tourism. Tourism Management, 60 , 244–256.

Zhu, W., Zhang, L., & Li, N. (2014). Challenges, function changing of government and enterprises in Chinese smart tourism . Beijing Union University.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Department of Tourism Management, Faculty of Management Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya, Sri Lanka

R. S. S. W. Arachchi, J. A. R. C. Sandaruwani & G. V. H. Dinusha

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. S. S. W. Arachchi .

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

Tourism Consultants Network, The Tourism Society, London, UK

Azizul Hassan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Arachchi, R.S.S.W., Sandaruwani, J.A.R.C., Dinusha, G.V.H. (2022). Connecting the Connected: How Is Sri Lanka Prepared to Respond to Digital Tourists?. In: Hassan, A. (eds) Technology Application in Tourism in Asia. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5461-9_22

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-5461-9_22

Published : 02 March 2022

Publisher Name : Springer, Singapore

Print ISBN : 978-981-16-5460-2

Online ISBN : 978-981-16-5461-9

eBook Packages : Business and Management Business and Management (R0)

Share this chapter

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

Share this page

Ifc invests in melwa hotels to boost tourism infrastructure in sri lanka.

Subscription

Receive news and updates about IFC

Quick Links

• View all Press Release
• Search Press Release
• User Agreement
• Personal Data Privacy Policy
• Scam Warning
• General Inquiry
• For Clients
• For Investors
• For Stakeholders
• For Job Seekers

Accountability

• Our Approach
• Disclosed Projects
• Compliance Advisor Ombudsman
• Independent Evaluation Group

Follow Us on Social Media!

Sri Lanka - Infrastructure Sri-Lanka-Infrastructure

Leading sub-sectors, opportunities.

The Ministry of Transport has several projects lined up for construction of new roads and railways and their extension.

Web Resources

Sri lanka - infrastructure, pick a board, create a board.

Owner: Trade Community Site Guest User

Create   Cancel

• Philippines
• South Korea
• The Maldives
• Appointments
• Trade Calendar
• News Archive

• Print Edition

Middle East identifies cruise tourism as new growth vertical

As destinations in the Middle East look to grow tourist arrivals and promote intra-regional tourism, cruise tourism has been identified as one of the critical avenues to their goal. Destinations in the region are investing in infrastructure as well as collaboration to boost cruise demand.

“I think more people in the region need to be aware of cruising…that they can cruise in their own backyard and don’t need to fly six hours to the Mediterranean or 15 hours to Miami to be able to take a Caribbean cruise,” remarked Saud Hareb Almheiri, cruise tourism & yachting lead – Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) at a session during the Arabian Travel Market 2024 last week.

“We have also created the Cruise Arabia Alliance recently as we want to maintain quality and service level in the region. We are looking to expand the alliance by bringing more partners on board,” he added.

The Cruise Arabia Alliance comprises Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Oman.

Aroya Cruises – operated by state-backed Cruise Saudi – is all set to embark on its maiden three-night/four-day voyage from Jeddah in December 2024. The company currently owns one ship and is looking to launch three ships in the next decade.

Turky Kari, executive director – marketing and corporate communications, Aroya Cruises, said: “At present we have three ports that can handle cruise liners (Jeddah Islamic Port, Yanbu Commercial Port, and King Abdulaziz Port Dammam). All ports have very easy access to different destinations in Saudi, including UNESCO heritage sites and amazing beaches. We are targeting to have 10 cruise ports in Saudi by 2030. Today, we are handling around 170,000 cruise tourists and are aiming to reach 1.3 million passengers per year.”

Kari shared that the focused markets will not be restricted to domestic and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, but also the larger Arabian region.

“The Middle East is still not a hub for cruise liners, so one of our objectives is to attract more international cruise liners to the region,” said Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development authority.

According to DET’s Almheiri, cruise tourism is going to play a big part in Dubai’s economic agenda, as the city in the United Arab Emirates looks to double its GDP by 2033.

“Activating our own regional market is very important to us, which we are looking to do in the near future, as well as looking eastwards towards Asia and trying to attract more Asian cruise liners,” added Almheiri.

Celebrate the art of Monet at Gardens by the Bay this July

A luxurious stay at the iconic Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel

Discover the beauty of Thailand with industry-leading properties from ONYX Hospitality Group

Is Your Business Listed On TTGmice Planner Online?

DidaTravel announces strong sales growth across GCC markets ahead of ATM

Positive outlook for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts buoyed by APAC growth

Advertise with us

Future of Tourism: Digital Travel APAC 2023 Innovation Brief

RELATED ARTICLES

Norwegian sun opens 2025 asia-pacific season for sale, oceania cruises unveils 2025 mediterranean sailings, silversea prepares for silver ray’s debut in june, cruise terminals are part of the luxury cruise experience: design experts, royal caribbean offers glimpse into paradise, resorts world cruises commits to supporting malaysian businesses, talents, norwegian heads to asia with destination-rich itineraries, disney cruise line names first ship bound for south-east asia, oceania cruises unveils inaugural season sailings for allura, tried and tested.

21 Carpenter

Fun for the family at Conrad Centennial Singapore

What to buy now.

New hotels: Shangri-La Nanshan, JEN Kunming by Shangri-La, Six Senses Kyoto...

• TTG Travel Awards
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

All Rights Reserved

Sri Lanka Targets UAE as a Key Tourism Market at Arabian Travel Market 2024

Sri Lanka made a significant presence at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 in Dubai highlighting the island nation's diverse attractions and offerings. The Sri Lanka pavilion at ATM 2024 was organized by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB).

Arabian Travel Market was one of the leading global events for the travel and tourism sector, held from 06 to 09 May 2024. Over 41,000 attendees visited the annual trade show, which featured 2,300 exhibitors from 165 countries. This year, ATM was centred on the theme ‘Empowering Innovation – Transforming Travel through Entrepreneurship’.

The Sri Lanka pavilion was inaugurated by esteemed dignitaries including the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE Udaya Indrarathna, Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates Alexi Gunasekera, Chairman of SLTPB Chalaka Gajabahu alongside other key officials. With over 60 travel agents, Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and leading hotels and resorts from Sri Lanka participating, the country aimed to showcase its unique tourism potential to the diverse and cosmopolitan market of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as well as to the international audience.

With a view to enhancing air connectivity and facilitating seamless travel experiences between the  two countries a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the  Emirates Airlines  at the Arabian Travel Market 2024 on 07 May 2024. The MoU was signed by  the Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West Asia and Indian Ocean, in the presence of Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs Harin Fernando,  the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in the UAE and  the Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai & Northern Emirates.

Tourism has become a source of income and a point of pride for the people of Jalapão in Tocantins, Brazil

"Golden grass lifted us from extreme poverty," says Railane Ribeiro da Silva

Mariana Ceratti/World Bank

A tiny community in central Brazil has made a name for itself in tourism and design, all thanks to a native plant known as golden grass, which is used to craft accessories and decorative items. This natural resource now stands for both the earnings and the pride of Mumbuca's quilombola community in Tocantins, particularly for the Village's Association of Artisans and Extractors, who greet global visitors with music and tales.

"My golden grass, my golden grass that sprouted in the field unplanted

It was my beloved who said to me that the field's flower is my golden grass

It was Grandma Miúda who showed us how to weave

Golden grass with great affection

It was in Mumbuca that this craft began with much love”

"When you buy golden grass, you're not just purchasing a product; you're preserving a tradition that's over two centuries old and still standing strong," explains 28-year-old artisan Railane Ribeiro da Silva. "Golden grass lifted us from extreme poverty, which used to make us fearful of outsiders. If tourists came by, the locals would scatter," she adds.

Railane is the granddaughter of Grandma Miúda (Guilhermina Ribeiro da Silva, 1928-2010), who learned the art of braiding golden grass from her mother, an indigenous descendant, and passed on the skill to other women. Grandma Miúda played a crucial role in popularizing this craft nationwide and bringing progress to the region.

The World Bank joined this narrative by funding the golden grass supply chain through the Integrated and Sustainable Regional Development Project of Tocantins (PDRIS), carried out over nine years in partnership with the state government. This initiative poured $282 million into seven sectors: transportation, education, agriculture, the environment, tourism, water resources, and public management enhancement.

In tourism alone, $3 million was allocated for various projects. In Mumbuca, the project helped establish a modest museum, the Memorial House of Culture, where visitors can delve into Grandma Miúda's history, view golden grass cultivation and harvesting photos, and admire crafted items. "We managed to get cabinets, a printer, GPS, a fully equipped office," Railane rejoices.

The project also enabled sustainable harvesting training, attracting a new wave of artisans. "The training sessions made it easier to develop products from golden grass," remembers Fatima Amazonas, who co-managed the project for five years. "The women needed a proper place to sell their goods, as the previous setup was quite makeshift. They gained empowerment through sheer determination and joy," she continues.

Meanwhile, in Prata Community in São Félix do Tocantins, the project funded a plaza that's now a central hub for locals. Just four decades ago, this quilombola community was cut off from the world.

"We had no transportation back then. Our lives were very basic," teacher Osirene Francisca de Souza reminisces. "Electricity didn't arrive until the 2000s," she adds.

Now, with solar panels and internet access, the plaza symbolizes progress for Osirene. "It's even become a venue for school events," she notes. On weekends, the plaza is a lively spot where adults can unwind at food stalls while kids play in the playground.

Other project-supported initiatives include:

• The establishment of the Tocantins Tourism Observatory in partnership with local educational and commerce institutes for sector research and planning

• The creation of an adventure park in Cantão State Park with zip lines and acrobatic paths

• The formulation of a strategic plan to enhance sport fishing in several municipalities

• The commissioning of a bird-watching guide for Tocantins and training for bird guides

• The installation of tourist signs in the Serras Gerais region.

The tourism boom necessitated visitor-friendly infrastructure. At Tri Agro Farm, the gateway to Cachoeira da Velha, new restrooms and a rest area kiosk were constructed. Similarly, a shelter kiosk was built at the entrance to Jalapão State Park, famed for its dunes.

These enhancements have improved the visitor experience, as noted by 26-year-old advertiser Beatriz Fróes and 25-year-old food engineer Maria Julia Rossi from São Paulo. "The beauty, the cuisine, our guide, and the reasonable prices made our visit delightful," they commend. "Some services and signs could be better, but that's to be expected in an emerging tourist destination."

The charm and untouched nature of Jalapão also captivated Kàllyta Queiroz, 28, and Josias Rodrigues, 38, from Redenção in Pará. After a 500 km drive, they found the journey worthwhile. "We plan to bring our daughters when they're older," says Kàllyta, a mother of three. Traveling with young children is not advisable due to the lengthy dirt road drives.

For adults and youth alike, however, a trip to Jalapão promises an unforgettable blend of natural beauty, culture, and hospitality in a Brazilian region ripe for exploration.

This site uses cookies to optimize functionality and give you the best possible experience. If you continue to navigate this website beyond this page, cookies will be placed on your browser. To learn more about cookies, click here .

• Development Standards

Development standards are necessary to ensure that tourism developments are carried out in such a manner that it is socially and environmentally acceptable and that the development meets the needs of tourists and contributes to the overall policy and objectives for Sri Lanka's tourism sector.

• Tourism Development Levy
• Sri Lanka Tourist Attractions
• Tourism News
• Know your Industry
• New Product Development
• Product Development
• Existing Product Development
• TAX SCHEMES
• Investment Support
• Get Approval for Tourism Projects
• Contact our Officers
• Our Services

Sri Lanka Tourism Strategic Plane 2017 - 2020

Download Application

English Application

Sinhala application, tamil application, infrastructure.

The water supply to all tourist establishments should be adequate in terms of quality and quantity, and sources of supply should be sustainable. For hotels the minimum requirement is 450 liters per guest per day. The use of glass bottled water is encouraged.

Surface Water Drainage should be adequate to remove water without causing dampness and damage. Collection and re-use should be incorporated into the design and operation.

Electricity all tourist establishments should have adequate and reliable power supply or generation capacity. environmentally friendly alternative sources, particularly solar energy, should be encouraged. telecommunication for hotels a minimum of 1 line per 10 to 20 rooms, depending on the nature of demand and the level of service, would be appropriate., sewage for small tourist facilities a properly designed and constructed septic tank and soakage pit system meeting minimum requirements would be acceptable, subject to ground water pollution constraints. all new hotels and other sizeable tourist facilities should be linked to effective neighborhood sewerage systems or have their own package treatment facilities designed and installed to produce effluents to cea approved standards, solid waste hygienic collection and storage facilities, preferably with separation for re-cycling, should be provided. for hotels an allowance of 0.5 kg per guest per day would enable suitable sizing of plant and equipments. on-site incineration of waste may be viable for large-scale project. compacting of waste should be encouraged. underground cabling for new tourist development, cabling services should run underground to enhance the visual appearance. existing tourist areas and attractions should give "undergrounding" existing supply lines., environmental impact assessment.

All tourism related projects would be referred to the Central Environmental Authority for clearance. Based on the scale of project and the sensitive of the area, the Central Environmental Authority will request to carryout an Environmental Study (an Initial Environmental Examination or a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment study).

Social Impact Assessment (SIA)

A SIA should be carried out for major tourist development and for all projects in socially vulnerable locations.

Adequate setbacks to be maintained as per the regulations of the Coast Conservation Department, Urban Development Authority, Railway Department, Wild Life Department, Archaeological Department, Irrigation Department, Mahawali Authority. etc.

The Coast Conservation Department in their Coastal Zone Management Plan has identified the setback limits. In the tourism zones those setbacks are to be maintained. Within the setback no permanent construction of any kind will be permitted. However, soft developments, which are removable easily without permanent foundation, will be permitted.

Buildings relating to water sports (where there is need to construct structures close to the beach for their operational purpose) are to be considered case by case by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Consumption of Natural Resources

Utilizing cleaner production techniques, low water consumption utensils, effective use of rainwater, and alternative power sources in all tourist service establishments, are encouraged.

Sewage Disposal System

For small tourist facilities and accommodation units, not exceeding 20 rooms, a properly designed and constructed septic tank and soakage pit system meeting minimum requirements would be acceptable, subject to ground water pollution constraints.

All new hotels and other sizeable tourist facilities should be linked to effective neighborhood sewerage systems or have a site package treatment facilities designed and installed to produce effluents to CEA approved standards that will allow for recycling.

Recycled water should be utilized for washing and gardening, and any excess water should be discharged in an acceptable manner to CEA and local authority guidelines.

Surface Water Disposal

Drainage should be adequate to remove water without causing dampness and damage. Collection and re-use should be incorporated into the design and operation.

Safety and Security

Adequate provision should be made for guest safety and security. There should be adequate fire warning and fire escape provisions.

Site Coverage Density

Maximum site coverage (i.e. the area of the "footprint" of a building as a percentage of the area of the whole site) of 30% should be applied for development purposes. Potential development sites should be graded by low, medium or high density. Consideration should be given to factors such as local site conditions, the general location, and site landscape, bearing capacity and sociological and environmental aspects.

General maximum densities by grade are as follows;

Higher densities should only be considered on sites where the carrying capacity and the EIA and SIA studies recommend that such increase can be sustained. Subsequent extensions should be permitted up to, but not exceeding the density originally designated.

Landscaping

The existing and proposed landscaping of a site requires comprehensive analysis. A full landscape design should be a component of the development proposal submission. It should be a fully integrated proposal giving consideration to factors such as privacy, noise pollution, visual enhancement and wind screening. The proposal should include depiction of boundary fences, paths, roadways, street furniture and area lighting. It should also incorporate existing trees into the plan. However, if trees of importance have to be uprooted, it is to be carefully root balled and replanted elsewhere on the site. Scenic vantage points should be sensitively considered and other such features included where appropriate. On site plant nurseries is encouraged.

Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Encouragement should be given to designing the public areas of tourist facilities with effective natural ventilation, supplemented by the use of fans, both to enhance the interior design and reduce electricity demands and operating costs. Special attention should be given to the design of bedrooms, in particular the placement of windows and screens should be designed to facilitate free flow of air. This should be supplemented by fans and by the inclusion of an appropriately located wall or spilt air conditioning unit. This would offer the guest the choice for either a naturally ventilated or an air-conditioned bedroom.

Vehicle Parking

Vehicle parking should be fully integrated into the landscaping plan to minimize the visual impact of large paved surfaces. Encouragement should be given to breaking down parking areas into a number of smaller units by inclusion of changes of level and vegetation for shade and visual amelioration. Car parking spaces should be 2.4 meters x 4.8 meters with a minimum area of 30 square meters per space for open car parking. Adequate coach parking spaces should be provided.

Surfaces should be consistent with the overall design of the whole facility, such as concrete or washed gravel with tuff employed in areas of low traffic. Tarmacadam paving is generally not suitable. Traffic flow within sites should be planned in detail with parking limited to designated areas.

Within development sites, circulation roads for two-way traffic should be a minimum of 6 meters wide and should be designed for the safety and enjoyment of guests taking a major role, including a full pedestrian walkway system and adequate consideration for lighting and planting. Planting "boulevards" and walkways should be at least 1.2 meters wide. At the principal entrances to development sites particular attention should be paid to sight lines and the ease with which site traffic can enter or leave the general traffic flow. Turning circles should have a minimum radius of 6 meters, but a greater radius is desirable for easier traffic flow.