Sri Lanka Tourism removes the Minimum Room Rate (MRR) imposed on Colombo City Hotels

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Tourism John Amaratunga had told reporters that the government is looking at revenue from tourism in the excess of US $ 5.9 billion for 2018 end and US $ 6.5 billion for 2019 end and a target of US $ 7 billion for 2020.

Speaking at the re launch of Sri Lanka Tourism Awards he had further told that that if the country does not have major natural disasters, epidemics and people remain calm Sri Lanka would be able to attract 2.6 million arrivals in 2018 and 3.5 million for 2019.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Tourism announced the removal of the Minimum Room Rate (MRR) imposed on Colombo City Hotels. Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Kavan Ratnayaka told that they have allowed the market forces to decide the room rates rather than the SLTDA dictating terms. However, he said that it was a temporary move and would be re imposed as and when required. He further said that SLTDA were in the process of introducing several new entertainment options to the Colombo city to bring in more travelers to Colombo and in a bid to encourage this they will also bring in a new tax incentive scheme.

- Reporting By Devendra Francis