• Nine units established to foster sustainable tourism at provincial level
• Challenges remain as resources needed to make units fully functional
• SLTDA aims for full implementation by mid-2025, aligning with Tourism Master Plan

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) plans to establish nine provincial tourism units as part of a tourism development plan aimed at catering to sustainable tourism development at the provincial level.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando stated they were currently considering provincial tourism development which, once in place, would be taken up by provincial tourism units established under the tourism development plan.

He revealed that although the provincial tourism units had already been established, they had thus far lacked the requisite resources to make these operational.

“It’s a step-by-step approach. It will not happen overnight, but we will definitely get there by mid-2025. By 2026, the Tourism Master Plan will have come into effect, by which time about 80-90% of it will already be in place,” he stated.

He elaborated: “Provincial tourism development will be part and parcel of the tourism development plan that is being drawn up. Under that we will cover new attractions, getting the local communities and authorities involved in the process.”

He further revealed that under the tourism development plan, they would seek to get the local communities involved together with Local Governments and provincial tourism units, working to build awareness and expertise on the subject accordingly.