Allowing the new Government to appoint a new Chairman, incumbent Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Chairman Kishu Gomes has tendered his resignation effective 15 November 2019,
having been in the industry for over 9 months. Early this year, Gomes received an invitation from the tourism industry to accept the position of SLTPB Chairman which was approved by the President. However, the Prime Minister, having reviewed the appointments approved by the president, later decided to make Kishu the Chairman of both Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and SLTPB.
With the Easter Sunday attacks shattering the hopes of the tourism industry, with 42 foreigners dying and over 200 foreigners injured by the terrorist attacks on three 5 star hotels, Gomes took the lead in responding to the challenge, covering all stakeholders of the industry locally and globally, by quickly appointing an Emergency Response Team, combining the two organisations that successfully accomplished all fundamental tasks in assessing, defining and providing solutions to the issue, liaising with the private and public agencies here and abroad, including the Tri-Forces and the Police. Within a few days after the incident, Gomes travelled to Dubai to take part in the Arabian Travel Mart, where he faced almost all the leading global media organisations, including CNN, to effectively lay the foundation for the industry recovery, with a few bold statements that received highest accolades.
By end October, the industry has recovered up to 80% in 6 months, reviving hopes of early recovery as compared to the time taken by other countries in similar situations.
(FT)