Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities have unveiled plans for a new resort development in the previously off-limits Northern part of the country. According to a report in The Telegraph, the development - the first of its kind to be announced since the end of the civil war - will include hotels and a marina and will extend over the 14-island archipelago of Kalpitiya, about 160 kms North of the capital, Colombo. In total the development, which is still in the consultation phase, is expected to cover over 16 sq. kms. and will include long stretches of untouched coastline. It will be aimed at the upper end of the market.
“We are sure that tourism will play a key role in regenerating the economy of the country and will in particular benefit the people of the North and the East. We hope the Kalpitya project will be the first of many that follow the end of the conflict,” Faiszer Musthapha, Deputy Tourism Minister, Sri Lanka was reported saying. Last year Sri Lanka attracted some 450,000 visitors, but now the war has ended there are hopes of a tourist influx. The government has set a target of 2.5 million visitors a year by 2016. |