Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda last Thursday stressed on the importance of passing legislation that is practical and useful to the industry. He said there could many beautiful pieces of legislation but they are not worth if they don’t have any practical value.

He was addressing the media and the stakeholders of the tourism industry at the World Tourism Day Celebrations hosted by Sri Lanka at the Bentota Resort.


Moragoda said the long awaited Tourism Act would come into effect from October 1 and there would be significant changes in the Sri Lanka Tourist Board which will be re-structured as an Authority.


"With the new Act being promulgated there will be private/public sector partnership and we hope it augurs well for tourism," he said.


Speaking about the theme of the event ‘Opening Doors for Women in Tourism’ he said what was needed was not mere lip service or tokenism but the implementation of decisions that were taken at the United Nations World Tourism Organization Women’s Summit in Bentota. "We must walk the talk," he said.


In implementing those decisions it was necessary to go to the grass roots with a broader vision. None of these objectives can be achieved without unity and peace and if tourism is to prosper there has to be a concerted effort from all levels, the central government, provincial councils and Pradeshya Sabhas because tourism is associated with people, he said.


Secretary General of the UNWTO Francesco Fangialli said ‘Development of women’s role not only gives society a balance, but it strengthens economies and social structures."