President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted that the tourism industry stands as the paramount sector capable of swiftly advancing the country’s economic objectives.

Addressing the audience at the inauguration of the Hilton Yala Resort, a luxurious
establishment within the Hilton Hotel Group, President Wickremesinghe underscored the
urgent need for comprehensive development in the region.
The Yala National Park, frequented by local and international tourists daily, was singled out as a key area for such development.
He added that an intriguing prospect lies in establishing wildlife reserves that offer visitors a fresh and unique experience, reminiscent of the offerings in countries like India and Nepal.
“This avenue warrants significant attention as we formulate a new strategy to elevate the tourism industry”, he said.
He stressed the need to boost the number of tourists while elevating the prices.
To invigorate the tourism industry, we must not only boost the number of tourists but
also consider elevating the pricing, he added.

Presently, we charge around $200 per tourist, while the Maldives charges approximately $700, he added.