Several new tourist attractions will be added to Colombo and the outskirts soon, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando told the World Tourism Market global press conference on Tuesday.
The conference was packed to capacity with international media from many countries of the world who asked many questions on transport, arrivals and safety of Sri Lanka which were successfully addressed by Sri Lankan officials. For the first time in Sri Lanka over 20 hot-air balloon points would be set up including one point in Yala.
“We have noted that the Yala National Park and some other parks are attracting too many visitors and we have decided to curtail entry to a certain number. This will be done by having an advance online booking system which should be implemented from next year for both locals and foreigners.”
To accommodate part of the both local and foreign visitors who want to go to the parks they will be given the option of using the hot-air balloons,” the Minister said. This will give an aerial view of the park to visitors, a first for Sri Lanka while minimising the ‘crowd’ impact on wildlife living in the parks. The Minister said that sky jumping from the Nelum Kuluna will be introduced soon. This would be operated by a foreign company. In addition a special entertainment zone will be created near the Beira Lake as well. Special round trip tickets would be issued for tourists who want to visit the cultural heritage sites and in future they don’t have to buy tickets to see each and every historic site. He disclosed that several new infrastructure facilities too will be introduced for the current railway network allowing more online booking options to tourists.
Fernando also said that the light railway system too is on the cards for Sri Lanka and his project was delayed due to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. He added that the Sigiriya area would be converted to a green zone and many new hotels that are being built are also requested to be more energy saving and green. He also predicted that Sri Lanka is to attract 4 million tourists by 2030.
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