 |
|
|
 |
Action Plan 2009 |
|
Development Plans
Action Plan 2009
In 2009, the SLTDA hopes to carry out the following;
- Work towards improving tourism numbers
- Obtain a holistic approach to the industry, create a rolling plan and keep up with new developments
- Work closely with Provincial Councils
- Create a diverse/mixed product
- Ensure product development reflects needs of new and old markets alike
- Increase the number of tour operators from all our markets
- 1.5 million visitors per annum
- Increase the yield per visitor from the current US$80 to US$130
-
Increase of 1,000 rooms by 2010 and a further 6,000 by 2016 if the right economic and political conditions prevail
-
Complete re-classification process conducted by an internationally acclaimed authority of all tourist accommodation
-
Operations Room to monitor projects giving clear responsibility, establishing performance targets and keeping projects to predetermined timescales
-
Review of current structures to see how they can be improved and submit to Parliament as amendments to the Act
Service and Quality Standards
- ‘Step change’ in the level of services provided
- Place effective processes for customer relationship management
- Develop a new set of quality standards for the industry
-
Identify all current niche tourism providers and the standards to which they are working
-
Create minimum standards which can be policed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Police through a ‘zero tolerance’ policy
-
Create benchmark standards above which tourism related businesses will be accredited and actively marketed from the centre through a new ‘Lion Seal’ indicating a centre of excellence
-
Create a database which will log all feedback from visitors including suggestions, comments, complaints and compliments
-
Compile report of facilities including toilets, information centres, food & drink outlets, rest rooms, prayer rooms, disable persons facilities, paths and signage for each tourist site; then create a priority list for work to be done
- Enforce current regulations for hygienic standards in restaurants etc
- Build an educational programme for service providers
-
SLTDA and Provincial Councils is setting up regional offices to ensure better standards of vendors and to inform local people about tourism
Research
- Over next four years renew knowledge base through carefully constructed market research
-
Develop clear picture of what competitors are offering and standards to which they aspire and then benchmark our own activities
-
Share research with other Boards including tea, gems, spices and handicrafts and instigate discussions to create integrated marketing campaign
-
Instigate a market research programme that will enable us to understand the needs of our key markets more effectively
-
Review the types of facilities being offered in other countries and create a benchmark below which our own facilities should not drop
-
Create a database which will log all feedback from visitors including suggestions, comments, complaints and compliments
-
Work with Provincial Councils to build a database of SMEs involved in the tourism industry
-
Undertake a series of local consultations to determine areas where SMEs require assistance or where problems are frequently encountered
Education and Training
- Educate the people about the value to them of tourism
- Get hotels and their visitors involved in the local community
- Build an educational programme for service providers
-
Ensure tourists get ‘Better Information’ and support from local people through a programme of seminars and workshops available to local people, vendors, local guides and lecturers, hotel staff and police officers
-
Work with Customs and Immigration to ensure they provide the best possible service at all times, offer a warm welcome to visitors and understand the different cultures
- Work with authorities and taxi drivers association to see standards of service are raised
-
Engage in dialogue with three wheeler drivers association to instil an education programme on best practices when working with foreign visitors
-
SLTPB to prepare a people’s tourism information campaign utilising newsprint, television and possibly radio
-
Curriculum development will be instigated in consultation with industry providers and in line with the requirements of other Objectives within this strategic paper
-
Raise internal standards by a review of all current arrangements and the implementation of new standards in time for the 2009 courses
-
Refurbishment of the Colombo training facility to bring it up to 5 star standards to enhance quality of training in a training hotel environment.
- Search for sponsors to commence the restocking of the Institute Library
- Establish a distance learning project via an intranet portal
-
Strengthen coordination with Provincial Councils through Coordination Committees and cater to their needs without demeaning the prime objectives of the Institution
- Address training needs of MSME s at Provincial level
- Review training of guide lecturers & chauffer guides and instigate refresher courses
- Work with SLTDA and other institutions on developing new service quality guidelines
-
Enhance relationship with organisations that compliment SLITHM programmes and obtain support to augment programmes and fund base
-
Link up with the Ministry of Foreign Employment for providing job opportunities for graduates. Re-orient short term courses to meet the employment opportunities provided by this Ministry
Domestic Tourism
Long Term planning
-
Phase 1 - Instigate a series of meetings and seminars to discuss different aspects of tourism for the future
- Phase 2 – Publish findings from Phase 1
- Phase 3 – Prepare White Paper for publication and consultation
- Phase 4 – Submit 2009 Strategic Planning paper including a 10 year plan to Cabinet
- Undertake benchmarking research of competitors – to be completed by January 2009
- Review methodologies for the collection of data and make recommendations
-
Review current methodologies for determining tourism trends in Sri Lanka and make recommendations
-
Review sustainable tourism development policies in other countries and determine benchmarks for Sri Lanka
-
Create a competition for innovative new designs and ideas for future tourism developments.
-
Development of Arugam Bay, Kalpitiya, Dedduwa, Hambantota, Passekudah, Nilaweli, and Trincomalee
[More Details]
- Review of major cities to enhance their attractiveness and accessibility
|
|
|
|
