Protecting Sri Lanka's Tourism Investors: A National Imperative 📈

Sri Lanka's tourism sector, vital for rural economies, faces severe challenges from repeated crises (civil conflict, Easter attacks, pandemic, economic collapse, recent floods). Despite its resilience, many genuine investors are under immense pressure. • Investor Crisis: Hotels opened around 2017 are hardest hit, facing aggressive banking actions like parate execution due to loan defaults caused by unforeseen national shocks, not mismanagement. Their liquidation would severely damage Sri Lanka's tourism fabric and thousands of indirect livelihoods. • Urgent Call to Action: • Banks must create a special category for these investors, offering restructuring, grace periods, and revival-focused financial solutions. • Immediate steps include positive international communication, rapid restoration of tourist zones, and temporary concessions (electricity rebates, VAT deferrals, working capital) for affected hotels. • Future Development Vision: A comprehensive, long-term national strategy is proposed, focusing on: • Transforming into a high-value, experience-driven destination (wellness, eco-luxury, long-stay). • Strengthening infrastructure and regional connectivity (domestic airports, modern railways, flood-resilient highways). • Developing tourism clusters in rural areas. • Implementing a national policy for investor protection (legally guaranteed moratoriums, dedicated Tourism Revival Bank). • Embracing digital transformation and smart tourism. • Prioritizing nature conservation and climate-resilient tourism. • Upskilling the workforce for global competitiveness. • Strengthening global branding and year-round promotion. • National Duty: Protecting these investors is crucial for sustaining millions of livelihoods and ensuring the stability of regional economies. Collaboration between the Government, banks, and industry leaders is essential for a stronger, more resilient tourism future.