A study by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has called for efforts to support target communities in post-conflict areas to meet short-term economic goals that would have a positive impact on their lifestyles.

It also stressed the need to focus on a long-term tourism development plan to generate economic growth at considerable pace.

The report also points out that new hotel projects are long-term ventures and it would take a longer time for the affected communities to gain from employment and income generation in post-conflict areas.

Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry has set a target of 2.5 million tourist arrivals by 2016, requiring the development of at least 13,000 new hotel rooms and major investment in large-scale resorts in post-conflict areas.

"The Eastern coast in particular has the potential to develop with many new investments," the USAID study said.

"It also should be in the right tourism products and development planning for the benefit of the local communities," it said.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has embarked on developing the East coast as it has the best beaches in the country.

The focus also should be on developing small and medium enterprises as it would generate more employment and more income generation opportunities for people in the region.

"The aim should be to create entrepreneurship. It is important for the bigger firms to work with people there and to get the communities involved for their own benefit," the tourism authority says.

According to Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, in the process of promoting entrepreneurship, local communities themselves should step forward and seize the opportunities.

Businessmen in the North said the government should be keener on that part of the region too and incentives are required to speed up development.

According to USAID, "large-scale lodging enterprises and tour companies must encourage and support SME-managed attractions as these add life and variety to the destination helping to attract more visitors".

Incidentally, the SLTDA highlights "the need for tour guides and interpreters can also be another new employment possibility for the educated youth in these areas. Car and three-wheeler owners/ drivers can also benefit when tourists want a ride to a close by location."