The government has taken the initiative to promote tourism by provinces and showcasing them at important international trade fairs.

Tourism Minister Milinda Moragoda yesterday expressed the need to take up key issues that prevent tourism in the provinces from progressing by calling a meeting with Provincial Chief Ministers at the Ministry.

He said that this meeting was held in a bid to discuss issues and to thereby develop a Tourism Promotion Programme.

Every three months the Minister agreed to meet up with the respective provincial ministers and visit these areas in a bid to address the pressing issues pertaining to the tourism industry.

The provincial chief ministers present on the occasion expressed their desire to obtain increased assistance from the government, in addition to increase in funding, ability to cut short on bureaucratic procedures that were holding back key projects and to help them get investors to their respective provinces to boost the industry.

They were appreciative of the government’s efforts to showcase the provinces and the initiative taken by the Rajapaksa administration in a bid to meet with them and take stock of implement the work expected of them.