The Sir Lankan tourism industry has planned to archive two million arrivals, and to be the third largest foreign exchanger by 2016. With this goal it is set to transform the tourism industry as the fastest job creator to help reduce the number of unemployment, according to sources at the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA)

The country's infrastructure needs to be developed if it hopes to achieve its targeted room capacity of 30,000 by 2015. Government support will be received to improve existing hotel room quality and construct many small and large scale private sector led recreational and hotel room construction projects.

SLTDA is committed to achieving a six fold increase in revenues within the next 10-years.

The programme hopes to move the industry from mass tourism to concentrated marketing, particularly on high income earners. In order to promote upscale tourism, market segmentation and diversification will be carried out. The diversified segments would include nature tourism, adventure tourism, agro-tourism, culture tourism, community tourism, sports tourism, eco tourism, and wellness tourism. Targeted markets include Japan, China, Korea and Australia.

By promoting Sri Lanka as a regional hub, the government hopes the country will benefit from future development activity. The commencement of a second international airport and a new harbuor are likely to contribute to this, and government will help improve existing road networks and develop existing roads to hotels located in various parts of Sri Lanka. The laying of new railway tracks will be pursued as well.

The government hopes to develop the Arugam Bay, Hambantota and Kalpitiya areas in addition to the Dedduwa, Galle, Panama and Negombo areas. The resorts will host varied activities and offer concessions for both international and local tourists.

The industry sees the improved security situation and the returning to normalcy of civilian life in Eastern Province, as an impetus to developing tourism to the region. As the first step it has decided to develop infrastructure facilities of the eastern region by supporting the Neganahira Navodaya initiative of the Government. This strategy is to make use of the exotic resources available in the area and uplift the quality of life of the people in the area where tourism will blossom.

The development of Mahaoya and Kinniya hot wells is already in progress as well as the Seruwila museum and the guest house. Fifty per cent of the total cost of the museum of the Seruwila project (Rs. 8 million) will be borne by the Bank of Ceylon.