Although Kuchchaveli beach has significant demand, the required infrastructure is not yet provided by the Government due to delays in the process, The Daily Morning Businesslearnt.
Speaking to The Daily Morning Business, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman Priantha Fernando, said: “Currently, there is only one star-class hotel which is in operation. Approximately, two parties have purchased land, but development has stalled because of the severe limitations in the infrastructure, which we (SLTDA) are working to remedy. Over the coming years, we will be able to transform Kuchchaveli into a popular vacation destination,” he noted.
Explaining the delays, Fernando said that since it is needed to transport water in bowsers for the construction process, which is delayed by the Water Board, water has been one of the major challenges for the development process. However, they are currently laying the pipelines. But it will take some time because nothing has been done over the past 1.5 years.
“There’s a common sewage treatment plant along with about 10 to 15 hotels coming up. There’s a common sewage treatment plant,” Fernando explained.
Moreover, SLTDA is focusing on enhancing marine tourism, an industry where the nation has much potential and possesses more than 100 bodies of water. To encourage tourists to spend money there, the country should promote more jet skis on the lakes and oceans and investments in artificial reefs. Water sports are a must. Additionally, the country is considering bringing skydiving schools to Sri Lanka, a plan that is now in discussion.
Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando, during a recent press conference, stated: “If we can make beaches safe and more attractive for the people to come since we have enough people who would die to go to these beaches. But, unfortunately that is what Sri Lanka has unidentified. There should be people by the sea.”
The country has over 150 shipwrecks for marine tourism. Since diving is a high-end, upscale hobby, more people will travel to the country. Then, there are yachts, which can be used to sail around the island. As a result, it will be a high-end tourism product that involves staying in Sri Lanka for at least 10 to 14 days and paying considerably more than $500 each night. The country should end the year with roughly 120 cruise lines, SLTDA explained.
High-end tourism is one of the major goals for the next five years as the President targets high-end tourists as well to achieve over $15 billion in tourist earnings. The country has about 9,000 to 10,000 rooms that are in the +4 star villas and boutique hotels which can cater for high-end tourists.
“We will have to improve the facilities and services in hotels to cater to that demand and probably we will get about 2.5 million high-end tourists by 2029 and the other 2.5 million will be a mix of budget tourists and other categories,” Fernando said.
