Several inaugural programs to commence tourism promotion activities with Russia and Ukraine have been organized in those countries under the patronage of Tourism Minister, Prasanna Ranatunga.
This program is being implemented under the Government’s program to uplift the tourism industry.
With the Covid epidemic, every country had taken steps to suspend plans to boost tourism. These countries are currently working to boost the tourism industry in line with health advice, according to the Minister.
Accordingly, a discussion will be held in Russia on the 6th between the Russian journalists and the representatives of the tourism organizations and the representatives of the Sri Lanka Tourism Organization.
There will also be an exhibition of photographs of Sri Lanka’s tourist destinations to show tourists that Sri Lanka is an attractive tourist destination. A similar tourism promotion program is being implemented in Ukraine.
Several special discussions have been organized between the heads of the tourism industry in these countries and the Minister of Tourism, Prasanna Ranatunga.
Russia and Ukraine are among the top 10 countries with the highest number of tourist arrivals in recent times.
During the COVID-19 epidemic, Sri Lanka implemented tourism regulatory projects with Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
Accordingly, 24,320 tourists have arrived in the country in the recent past. Of those, 250 tourists have been diagnosed with the coronavirus and have been referred for treatment. About 150 of those who have been diagnosed with the disease have returned to their homeland after recovering completely.
Another 100 tourists who were diagnosed with the disease are still receiving treatment in the country.
Appreciating the support of Russia and Ukraine in boosting Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, Tourism Minister, Prasanna Ranatunga said that the two countries were paying close attention to the healthcare tourism practices being implemented in Sri Lanka.
Visitors to Sri Lanka in the past have noted that Sri Lanka is at the forefront of tourists’ safety, healthcare and hospitality in the event of an epidemic.
The Minister further said that considering Sri Lanka as a safe country in all respects at a time when foreign countries are making strenuous efforts to promote tourism in the wake of the Coronavirus epidemic is a positive development for the Sri Lankan tourism industry.
