Sri Lanka's Godahewa throws in the towel

SRI Lanka's top tourism official, Nalaka Godahewa, abruptly resigned from several key posts yesterday over differences with the government on international marketing and promotion strategy.

Godahewa stepped down as head of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management, but retained his role as chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Citing difficulties in amalgamating the four state tourism bodies as one of the reasons for relinquishing the posts, Godahewa stated his intention to focus on the development aspect of Sri Lanka tourism moving forward.

An industry leader who declined to be named said many were aware of Godahewa’s hands being tied in promoting the destination. “I hope (Godahewa’s) sacrifice will make the government take note and resolve some of these issues,” he said.

In recent times, Sri Lankan tourism bodies have encountered serious hindrances related to funding, with P.B. Jayasundera, secretary, Ministry of Finance & Planning, actively slashing their budgets.

Tourism representatives including Godahewa have also been absent from key international travel trade fairs over the past 18 months, due to permission to attend these events being withheld by the Ministry.

Sourced: TTG Asia